The Department of Education (DepEd) is tightening the implementation of the senior high school voucher program to prevent abuse and ensure assistance reaches only rightful beneficiaries, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said Monday.

Angara revealed that insiders within DepEd have been providing student information to schools, resulting in fraudulent claims.

“Some insiders obtain information and misuse a student’s details to falsely show enrollments in their schools, even if no students are actually enrolled,” he said during the Brigada Eskwela launch at Barihan Elementary School in Malolos, Bulacan.

To address “ghost students” or undocumented beneficiaries, DepEd will now issue vouchers postpaid—toward the end of the semester or school year — instead of prepaid.

“Before, payments were made upfront. Now, schools must prove a student’s enrollment before receiving funds,” Angara explained.

Security measures have been strengthened to prevent unauthorized refund claims. Those involved in fraudulent activities will face legal action. “We will file cases against schools and their officials if they refuse to pay,” Angara warned.

DepEd has already terminated 55 private schools from the voucher program due to questionable claims, following the discovery of at least 12 schools listing “ghost students” as beneficiaries.

Angara also urged communities, parents, and teachers to actively participate in the annual Brigada Eskwela cleanup to prepare classrooms for the 2025-2026 school year. “We rely on the community, parents, and teachers to mobilize and ensure safe schools for students when classes begin on June 16,” he said.