DepEd, CHED Award 230 Lingap Scholarships to Address School Counselor Shortage

The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) have awarded scholarships to 230 public school personnel, forming the first batch of a program designed to help address the shortage of school mental health professionals.

The Learning Initiatives for Nurturing Guidance Associates and Counselors Program, or Lingap, supports graduate education and professional development in guidance, counseling and psychology.

By helping existing DepEd personnel earn higher qualifications, the agencies aim to strengthen the pool of professionals who can support learners’ mental health and well-being in public schools.

Preparing Personnel to Support Learners

The scholarships were awarded during the 4th Joint Education Trifocal Management Committee meeting at the Negros Oriental Convention Center.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized the importance of qualified counselors in building safe and nurturing learning environments, particularly following recent school safety incidents.

He said schools need personnel who can listen to learners, understand their concerns and provide appropriate support. Lingap gives DepEd staff an opportunity to develop those skills while pursuing the credentials needed for professional practice.

The ceremony was also attended by CHED Chair Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis and TESDA Director General Jose Francisco “Kiko” Benitez, alongside lawmakers and other officials.

What the Scholarship Covers

For academic year 2026–2027, Lingap has 870 funded scholarship slots, supported by a ₱182.055-million appropriation under the General Appropriations Act.

Following screening, DepEd shortlisted 327 nominees and endorsed 230 scholars to CHED for the first batch.

Each scholar will receive financial support covering:

• Tuition and other school fees
• A ₱30,000 monthly living allowance
• A research allowance of up to ₱150,000

The funding supports personnel as they pursue graduate studies and prepare for professional responsibilities in schools.

Graduate Study Followed by Licensure and Service

After completing their graduate studies, grantees must take the licensure examination and fulfill professional service obligations in public schools.

The scholarship is therefore one step toward strengthening school counseling services, with further academic, licensing and service requirements ahead of the recipients.

“To our scholars: maximize this opportunity. Use this not only for your own development but also so that you can be part of the solution in creating safer and more caring schools,” Angara said.

“Together, let’s all ensure that each child will have a school that’s safe, caring, and has people who are ready to guide them,” he added.

Nationwide Scholars Join the Awarding

Nine scholars from the Schools Division Offices of Dumaguete, Tanjay and Bayawan attended the ceremony in person, representing the 230 awardees nationwide. Other recipients participated virtually.

The University of Negros Occidental–Recoletos represented the approved delivering higher education institutions supporting Lingap’s nationwide implementation.

For learners, the program’s intended benefit is access to more qualified personnel who can provide guidance and mental health support. The first batch begins that process through further study, with public school service forming part of the scholars’ obligations.