The Ministry of Education, Sport and Culture in Ecuador has hired 2,460 professionals for the Student Counseling Departments (DECE) nationwide between November 2024 and November 2025. This move aims to strengthen psychosocial support within the country’s public education system.
This hiring marks the first addition of DECE professionals since 2016. As a result, the coverage for socioemotional support in public educational institutions increased from 29% to 54.4%, bringing the total number of DECE professionals in the public system to 5,451.
The government allocated $12.5 million for this recruitment process. The initiative is expected to benefit approximately 1.2 million students by enhancing prevention efforts and providing timely support for those at risk.
According to the ministry, “The Ministry of Education, Sport and Culture guarantees that state-supported educational institutions have psychosocial support, contributing to students’ overall development.” The ministry has also issued tools designed to ensure extramural psychosocial accompaniment so that DECE professionals can respond promptly when there are signs or alerts indicating a student may be facing vulnerability or psychosocial risk.
In recognition of their work, the ministry continues to strengthen these departments through various actions focused on counseling, promotion and prevention activities, psychosocial care, and social-educational inclusion. These efforts are described as essential for building inclusive educational processes and ensuring safe learning environments free from violence or other risks.
Socioemotional education remains a priority for the institution as it acknowledges that academic achievement is closely linked with emotional well-being. Policies and pedagogical tools have been implemented that integrate a socioemotional approach throughout Ecuador’s national education system.
Among these measures are curricular insertions aimed at developing skills such as empathy, self-regulation, decision-making, emotional awareness, and resilience—skills considered important alongside academic knowledge.
As part of this strategy, the Civic and Comprehensive Classroom Support space was introduced. This initiative combines civic education with ethics and integrity while strengthening socioemotional abilities such as democratic participation, peaceful coexistence, and respect for human rights.
Within this framework teachers conduct activities promoting self-awareness, emotional management, assertive communication, teamwork, and conflict resolution—measures intended to help shape active and engaged citizens.
Additionally: “MINIDEC issued the Practical Guide for Socioemotional Accompaniment in the National Education System—a fundamental tool guiding timely and effective attention to students’ emotional needs.”
These steps form part of a broader government commitment “to strengthen safe and protective educational environments,” aiming toward an integral education model that puts students at its center.
