DepEd eyes salary increase to fill guidance counselor posts

The Department of Education (DepEd) said on Friday that it was considering a salary increase for guidance counselors to attract master’s degree holders amid the shortage of such staffers in public schools.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said his agency would talk to the Department of Budget and Management to adjust the entry-level pay of guidance counselors from Salary Grade 11 or P28,512 to Salary Grade 13 or  P32,870.

“Mayroon pong mga posisyon ‘yan, bakante lang po. Opo,  may plantilla item na po at halos parang 4,000 plus ang bakante. Bawat  rehiyon may bakante,” said Angara in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

(There are vacant positions available. There are more than 4,000 plantilla slots available. There are vacancies in each region.)

“Mababa yung sweldo, so gusto namin ire-reclassify namin yung posisyon,  manghihingi kami ng permiso sa Department of Budget [and Management] or  DBM, at from Salary Grade 11, gagawin naming Salary Grade 13. Pagkat  kapag may master’s degree na ang tao, malamang hindi niya kukunin yung  mas mababang sweldo,” he added.

(The salary is really low. So we want to reclassify the position and ask the permission of the  Department of Budget and Management or DBM to raise it from Salary Grade 11 to Salary Grade 13. Because those with a master's degree would  definitely not accept offers with lower pay.)

Further, the DepEd said there were discussions on allowing bachelor’s degree holders of psychology, and guidance and counseling to be hired while they complete their master’s degree.

“At the very least,  mapuno lang natin yung a few of the positions tapos may kompromiso na,  hindi pa formally announced, pero pinag uusapan na payagan yung mga  bachelor graduates lang ng psychology or ng guidance and counseling na  umupo, subject to five years na makuha nila yung actually or full  master’s degree,” said Angara. “At least may naga-advise na, kaysa sa  bakante yung posisyon.”

According to  Republic Act No. 9258 or the “Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004”, an  applicant must hold a master’s degree in guidance and counseling to  qualify for the licensure examination. — DVM, GMA Integrated News