ILOILO City – There are no “ghost learners” in private schools under the Senior High School (SHS) Voucher Program in Western Visayas, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).
The SHS Voucher Program provides financial assistance ranging from P14,000 to P22,500 for eligible students attending private schools. Public school graduates automatically receive the voucher, while private school students can apply for inclusion in the program.
The region’s private schools have been compliant with the guidelines set for the program, ensuring no fraudulent claims for ghost students, said Hernani Escullar Jr., the DepEd Region 6 information officer, in an interview with Panay News.
“The Quality Assurance Division of DepEd-6 oversees private schools and regularly conducts checks,” he added.
Escullar’s statement followed the investigation by DepEd’s Central Office into allegations of ghost learners in 12 private schools across nine divisions in the country.
The Education department is scrutinizing personnel and officials who may be linked to the fraudulent activities, with the possibility of terminating the schools’ participation in the SHS Voucher Program.
Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized that any misuse of public funds, especially those intended for critical education programs, would not be tolerated.
“This investigation is a necessary step as we pursue the truth and hold accountable those responsible,” said Angara.
Escullar explained that the SHS Voucher Program, along with the Education Service Contracting (ESC) and Joint Delivery Voucher Program (JDVP), is a partnership between DepEd and the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC). The program is designed to support learners entering Senior High School who choose to enroll in private institutions.
“Incoming Grade 11 students who graduate from public schools automatically qualify for a voucher, which they can use in private schools that offer SHS tracks. Those who remain in public schools also automatically receive the voucher,” Escullar clarified.
In Region 6, there are 968 private schools, though Escullar noted that the exact number offering Senior High School programs is still being determined, as the data collection from the Quality Assurance Division is ongoing.
Escullar highlighted that the absence of ghost learners in the region reflects the adherence of local schools to DepEd guidelines.
“We are grateful and happy that our private schools participating in these programs are strictly following DepEd’s guidelines,” he said.
To ensure continuous compliance, DepEd-6 regularly monitors private schools and provides technical assistance when necessary.
The department has also established a convergence with private partners to guarantee adherence to DepEd’s standards.
In response to the allegations, DepEd has initiated measures including the preparation for potential termination of accreditation for non-compliant schools and the collection of evidence against responsible individuals. Legal actions, including administrative and criminal sanctions, will be considered according to existing laws.
DepEd assures the public that affected, legitimate students will continue to receive necessary assistance to ensure their uninterrupted education. The department has also reiterated its commitment to strengthening monitoring systems to prevent future irregularities.
For anonymous reports related to any program irregularities, DepEd encourages the public to reach out at walangkorapsyon@deped.gov.ph. (With a report from the Philippine Information Agency)/PN
