The Department of Education (DepEd) has intensified monitoring of the Senior High School (SHS) Voucher Program after uncovering irregular and fraudulent claims by some private schools.
DepEd said seven cases have been filed against schools involved, while criminal charges were lodged against individuals who claimed funds for ineligible or fake beneficiaries. The amount under legal process is estimated at ₱37.58 million.
At a Malacañang press briefing, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said reforms include changes in how subsidies are validated and released under the Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (E-GASTPE).
“Binago po natin yung sistema, dati binabayaran kaagad, inaadvance yung bayad, ngayon tinitignan talaga yung resulta at kung naka-enroll, tapos yung learner number at nag-iinstitute tayo ng mga safeguards both at the school level and at the DepEd level. Binabangga namin yung mga database natin na dati hindi ginagawa,” Angara said.
The statement followed a Commission on Audit report on “ghost students,” ineligible beneficiaries, and high-tuition private school enrollees benefiting from the program.
DepEd said a five-step validation process is now in place, preventing the release of at least ₱200 million to unqualified beneficiaries in School Years 2023–2024 and 2024–2025.
Updated guidelines are also being finalized to ensure uniform standards of quality, compliance, and accountability among participating schools.