DepEd files cases vs schools over ‘ghost students’ in voucher program

The Department of Education (DepEd) has filed criminal and administrative charges against private schools and individuals found to have claimed subsidies for ineligible or fictitious beneficiaries under the Senior High School Voucher Program.

DepEd said the cases involve a total of P37.58 million and are now undergoing the appropriate legal processes.

The department said it has continued to strengthen program governance under the Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (E-GASTPE) by tightening implementation oversight, clarifying program rules, and improving coordination with private school associations to address recurring issues involving documentation, compliance, and processing timelines.

“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,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said during a Malacañang press briefing on Tuesday.

“Binabangga namin yung mga database natin na dati hindi ginagawa,” Angara added.

Angara was referring to the strengthened five-step validation framework now being implemented to ensure subsidies are released only to qualified learners. The system includes cross-checking between the Voucher Management System and the Learner Information System, resolution of data discrepancies, post-audit monitoring visits to participating private schools, field office site inspections, and revalidation of learner eligibility and enrollment status during the second semester.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the issue of “ghost students” was uncovered following reforms introduced under Angara’s leadership.

“Gusto lamang muli natin pasalamatan dahil napag-usapan ang tungkol sa ghost students, maraming maraming salamat dahil sa pagpasok ni Secretary Sonny Angara sa DepEd, ito po ay nadiskubre,” Castro said.

DepEd said that through these reforms, it was able to prevent at least P200 million from being released to ineligible beneficiaries during school years 2023–2024 and 2024–2025.

In parallel, the department said it is finalizing updated guidelines for the recognition of senior high schools participating in the voucher program, aimed at aligning private school participation with consistent standards on quality, compliance, and accountability.

DepEd said these measures form part of its broader effort to reinforce transparency, fiscal discipline, and safeguards in implementing the Senior High School Voucher Program, ensuring that public funds are protected and directed only to learners who meet program requirements.
(NEIL ALCOBER)