The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged irregularities in the Department of Education’s Senior High School Voucher Program, identifying ‘ghost students' and ineligible beneficiaries that may have improperly received public subsidies, according to a report released this week.
In its latest audit, the COA cited instances in which students listed as voucher recipients could not be verified as attending classes, were enrolled multiple times, or were associated with high-tuition private schools that contradict the program’s intent to assist underprivileged learners.
COA described ‘ghost students’ as those whose existence or participation in the program could not be reasonably substantiated. It also found cases of double billing and multiple entries for identical voucher program beneficiaries, which resulted in overpayments worth at least ₱868,500.
The issue first drew public attention in early 2024, when Senate lawmakers flagged more than 19,000 alleged “ghost students” in the senior high school voucher program, suggesting widespread undocumented beneficiaries and prompting deeper scrutiny of the system.
Subsequent probes in 2025 revealed multiple private schools under investigation for alleged fictitious enrollees and irregular voucher claims, and DepEd has already moved to remove dozens of schools and withhold suspicious funds as lawmakers and auditors pressed for a full review.
In response to the audit findings, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the department has strengthened controls and is pursuing legal action. He told reporters that DepEd is implementing a five-step validation framework to ensure subsidies are released only to qualified learners and that it prevented “at least ₱200 million” from being improperly released to ineligible beneficiaries for school years 2023–2024 and 2024–2025.
The new framework includes systematic cross-checking of internal databases, resolving data discrepancies, conducting post-audit monitoring visits to participating private schools, field office inspections and revalidation of learner eligibility and enrollment status.
Angara’s office also said it will update guidelines for the recognition of senior high schools participating in the voucher program to ensure private institutions meet consistent standards for quality, compliance and accountability.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro welcomed DepEd’s reforms, saying the department’s recent leadership helped bring the issue to light.
The COA findings follow earlier concerns over ‘ghost students’ in the voucher program dating back several years. In 2024, Senate hearings flagged thousands of undocumented beneficiaries in the voucher system, underscoring ongoing scrutiny from lawmakers and auditors.
DepEd has not yet released a complete list of schools or individuals implicated in the irregularities, but the department has in previous reports indicated it will file cases and pursue accountability for those responsible.
Written by Diana Rose N. Evangelista, Insight PH
Diana Rose N. Evangelista, Insight PH is a dedicated campus journalist and contributor. Their insightful writing sparks meaningful conversations and keeps the community informed.
