BY HERMAN M. LAGON
THE 2019 Secondary School Career Guidance and Counseling Act was passed to improve high school career guidance. However, if not that poor, its implementation could have been better, leaving many students needing more support to make future decisions. Despite expectations, the National Secondary Schools Career Guidance and Counseling Program must still standardize and improve these services.
Teaching, informed peers, and parents are crucial career guides, especially in the face of government neglect. Teachers and guidance counselors provide mentorship and insights, while peers can relate. Despite their influence on children’s career and personal choices, parental involvement in career and crisis counseling is insufficient. Filling this gap requires involving parents and providing them with information.
Finances also limit students’ university and career choices. Many students and parents must be aware of government scholarships and financial aid. This lack of awareness perpetuates inequality and prevents students from pursuing their dreams, highlighting a significant career guidance service failure.
Career counseling’s availability and efficacy show a nation’s youth commitment. Because the government does not support these initiatives, many students need more tools and information to make decisions, especially in public and underprivileged schools. This situation must be corrected immediately to ensure every student receives career guidance, resulting in personal fulfillment and a more robust national economy.
Clearly, guidance counseling is plagued by a shortage of qualified professionals, regional disparities, low salaries, and high standards that deter candidates. Government, schools, and communities must work together to solve these problems. Better compensation, career guidance, and parental involvement are essential to solving this crisis.
We know that the future of Filipino youth is at stake as we navigate this complex issue. Lack of guidance and support will keep many students struggling with bullying, mental health issues, and career uncertainty. Hence, we must face these challenges head-on and with a sense of urgency. So far, there is no other better option to fix this looming counseling crisis than this.
***
Doc H fondly describes himself as a ”student of and for life” who, like many others, aspires to a life-giving and why-driven world grounded in social justice and the pursuit of happiness. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the institutions he is employed or connected with./PN
