The Department of Education (DepEd) has recovered ₱65 million from 38 private schools implicated in irregularities within the Senior High School voucher program. Two schools made partial refunds, while 14 others are yet to return the funds and face final demand letters. Investigations are ongoing to determine if these irregularities constitute fraud.
Twelve schools are under investigation for the 2023-2024 school year, with three additional schools flagged by the Government Assistance and Subsidies Service and referred to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for a parallel probe. DepEd is collaborating with the Private Education Assistance Committee to enhance oversight and accountability, implementing measures such as cross-referencing information, system audits, and random school visits. Regional and schools division offices are conducting inspections and submitting reports, while validation processes are being tightened to ensure only eligible students benefit.
The Private Education Office is developing stricter regulatory compliance, and the Information and Communications Technology Service (ICTS) is strengthening digital safeguards, including audit trails and automated notifications. DepEd previously terminated 55 schools from the program due to alleged “ghost students,” impacting an estimated 100 to 1,000 beneficiaries per school. The voucher value ranges from ₱14,000 to ₱22,500, depending on student location. The Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations supports DepEd’s investigation and advocates for more efficient beneficiary targeting to prevent future fraud.
