Group blames counselor shortage, anti-bullying program lack for viral student stabbing

Metro Manila, Philippines - The violent stabbing involving student minors in Pasig City has put the spotlight on counselor shortage and inadequate enforcement of anti-bullying programs in schools, a youth group said on Friday, Feb. 21.

On Thursday, two minors were wounded and seven others were put under police custody over a viral scuffle that led to stabbing, the Pasig police said.

The Pasig City government said the police and the city school division are investigating the incident. The Department of Education (DepEd) has yet to issue a statement.

For BatamPasig, a youth organization, it exposed “multiple failures in our education system.”

“Kung may sapat na bilang ng guidance counselors at mental health professionals sa aming mga paaralan, mas maagap sanang natutukan ang mga ganitong tensyon at hindi na umabot sa puntong may masugatan,” Alldy Eugenio, the group secretary general, said in a press statement.

[Translation: If there were enough guidance counselors and mental health professionals in our schools, tensions like these could have been addressed earlier, and it wouldn't have reached the point where someone got hurt.]

The group said while the DepEd has suggested a ratio of one guidance counselor for every 500 students, the reality in some public schools is only one counselor attends to a thousand learners.

BatamPasig urged the agency to fill vacant guidance counselor positions and carry out comprehensive mental health and anti-bullying programs.

“We need a holistic approach that combines improved school security, mental health support, and a transformation of our social values. We deserve a safe learning environment and a society that promotes peace, not violence,” said Eugenio.

Tweaking the system

In an earlier interview with NewsWatch Plus, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the lack of guidance counselors is a factor in the rising cases of student bullying.

He said there are over 4,000 vacancies in guidance counselor positions.

Based on the Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004, those who want to practice the profession must pass a licensure exam. They must first hold a Bachelor's Degree in Guidance and Counseling or in allied disciplines, and a master's degree in guidance and counseling.

The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EdCom2) earlier said it will take the government 14 years to fill the vacancies under the current setup.

“Congress has passed the mental health, the new Mental Health and Safety Act. So this allows us to hire a bigger pool of guidance professionals or counseling professionals - where not necessarily licensed guidance counselors, but who can assist in the role that the guidance counselor plays,” Angara said.

Under the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act signed in December 2024, a school counselor associate may be hired if they hold a bachelor’s degree in guidance counseling, psychology, or a related field.

Alternatively, candidates with a degree in another discipline may qualify if they have completed at least 18 units in guidance counseling, psychology, or behavioral science courses.

Meanwhile, Angara also noted the need to be more strict in requiring schools to have anti-bullying policies and handbooks.

“Apparently not all the schools have been complying… Not only do they not have the policies, they're not implementing, assuming they have the policies, are they implementing these policies? And the sense of capacity building and educating people that bullying is wrong, I think we want to look deeper into that,” he said.