GASTPE program’s coverage expansion seen

The Department of Education (DepEd) announced Tuesday that the proposed P41.18-billion budget for subsidies to the private education sector in 2026 is expected to significantly widen the coverage of the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) programs.

The proposed allocation, which is P670 million higher than the 2025 budget and currently under bicameral review, is slated to benefit approximately 2.6 million learners studying in private institutions.

DepEd stressed that the expansion is a strategic measure for congestion management in public schools, noting that for every 35 to 40 learners enrolled in private schools through the voucher system, one public school classroom is effectively decongested.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara confirmed the increased funding will ensure the timely delivery of subsidies to meet growing demand.

The proposed 2026 allocation positions DepEd to support 989,471 junior high school grantees under the Educational Service Contracting program and 1,475,264 senior high school grantees under the voucher program.

It also sustains the P24,000 annual Teachers’ Salary Subsidy for eligible teachers and assists 117,150 senior high school learners in Technical-Vocational Livelihood specializations.

Angara highlighted that the increased funding supports the strengthening of the Public and Private Basic Education Complementarity Framework, which aligns with the constitutional mandate for equitable education access.

Under Angara’s leadership, the department has focused on reforming GASTPE implementation to address past concerns regarding delays and accountability. These reforms include tightened oversight, clarified program guidelines, and improved coordination with private school associations.

To prevent fraud and ensure public funds reach legitimate students, DepEd has implemented a rigorous five-step validation process. This includes cross-checking enrollment data, verifying discrepancies, conducting post-audit monitoring visits, and re-validating learner eligibility during the second semester.

“We want to ensure that subsidies are delivered on time and that program rules are applied consistently and fairly across regions,” Angara said. “Every peso the government spends for education must reach the real students.”

Following these stricter measures, the DepEd Central Office is currently handling the investigation of seven cases against errant private schools and has filed criminal charges against individuals responsible for fraudulently claiming subsidies for “ghost” voucher beneficiaries under the Senior High School voucher system, involving an amount of P37.58 million.