MANILA, Philippines โ The Department of Education (DepEd) has filed criminal cases against seven private schools accused of collecting millions in subsidies for โghost studentsโ โ non-existent enrollees fraudulently listed as beneficiaries of the governmentโs voucher program.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara confirmed the move on Wednesday, September 4, during a House appropriations committee hearing. He said the cases, involving a total of โฑ61.9 million, have already been filed with prosecutors, alongside demand letters for the return of public funds.
โMay criminal cases tayo with the total amount involved of โฑ61.9 million. Tapos may pending investigation pa sa DepEd legal department regarding similar situations,โ Angara told lawmakers.
The scheme exploited the Senior High School Voucher Program, which grants subsidies of โฑ14,000 to โฑ22,500 per student to help cover private school tuition. Under the program, DepEd releases funds based on a studentโs name and voucher reference number โ a system that unscrupulous schools allegedly manipulated by padding their lists with fake students.
In February, DepEd revealed it was investigating 12 private schools in Bulacan, Pangasinan, Metro Manila, Pampanga, Tarlac, Rizal, Northern Samar, Davao del Sur, and Maguindanao for similar schemes.
This is not the first time the program has been tainted by fraud. In March 2023, senators uncovered more than 19,000 โghost studentsโ under the Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (E-GASTPE), which includes the voucher program.
The education department said it is determined to recover as much as โฑ100 million in stolen public funds through criminal and civil cases.
Beyond lost money, however, the scam raises deeper questions about DepEdโs monitoring of voucher beneficiaries โ and how easily corruption thrives in a program meant to expand access to education. (Edited by amm)
About The Author
