Duterte signs law establishing career guidance and counseling program in secondary schools

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law that institutionalizes a career guidance and counseling program for students in all public and private secondary schools.

Duterte approved Republic Act 11206 on February 14, a copy of which was released by Malacañang on Tuesday.

The law aims to provide secondary school students with proper direction in pursuing college education, equip them with the knowledge to make educated career decisions and ensure that they will meet the requirements of the government, industry and economy after they graduate from college.

The measure mandates the creation of a National Secondary School Career Guidance and Counseling Program (CGCP), which will be administered by the Department of Education (DepEd).

This will be implemented in all private and public secondary educational institutions beginning at the Grade 7 level. The program will be a prerequisite to senior high school students before they graduate.

The department, with the help of other concerned government agencies, will also formulate, develop and review a Career Guidance and Counseling Instructional Module that will be used as the basic instructional material for the students.

A CGCP Center will also be established to serve as a resource center in all secondary schools to be headed by the school administrator with the assistance of a trained career and employment guidance counselor.

Career and employment guidance counselors not registered with the Professional Regulation Commission will be allowed to conduct career counseling in secondary schools where they are currently employed, in accordance with the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 and the Guidance and Counseling Act of 2004.

They only need to undergo a training program from the DepEd.

DepEd will also conduct the National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE) among public and private secondary school students nationwide which will assess their aptitude, skill or inclination in a particular field and guide them in choosing their respective courses or career options.

The law takes effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation. — BAP, GMA News