DepEd seeks to recover up to P100M 'ghost student' claims
"Nag-file na po kami ng mga kaso—hindi lang civil para ma-recover 'yung bayad, pati criminal—dahil mataas ang halaga ng pinag-uusapan dito. Hindi lang ito usapin ng pera, kundi usapin ng nawawala sa mga karapat-dapat na dapat tumanggap ng voucher na ito," Angara said during the post-SONA (State of the Nation Address) education dialogue.
(We've filed both civil and criminal cases—not just to recover the money, but to give what is right for legitimate voucher recipients.
The "ghost student" issue involved false claims for non-existent enrollees under the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE), particularly its SHS voucher program.
While the Commission on Audit (COA) initially flagged P65 million in such claims, Angara said the amount being investigated has since ballooned.
"Hindi lang P65 [million], parang mas malaki pa yata—nasa P100 [million] na yata (It's not just P65 million—it may already be closer to P100 million)," he said.
"Continuous ang aming investigation diyan, at paano palakasin ang sistema para wala nang makakadaya nito. Hindi maganda na itong mga programa sa ating kabataan ay pinaglalaruan lang," he added.
(Our investigation is ongoing. We're working to strengthen the system so it can't be cheated. These programs for our youth should never be toyed with.)
Teacher subsidies
Armed with a P50-billion budget, the voucher program allows qualified Grade 10 completers to study in private senior high schools with government subsidies.
"Kailangan po natin ang tulong ng private schools. Kalahating milyon ang nag-aaral sa kanila—500,000—at binabayaran po natin 'yan. May savings pa po tayo dahil mas mura ang private school kaysa public kung minsan," Angara said.
(We need the support of private schools. Around half a million students are enrolled—and we cover the cost. We have savings because private school can be cheaper than public schools sometimes.)
To retain teachers and keep private schools afloat, Angara said the annual teacher subsidy under the Educational Service Contracting (ESC) program will be increased from P18,000 to P24,000 by 2026.
Computers for classrooms
Meanwhile, the DepEd plans to deploy computers and laptops to 46,000 public classrooms in the country. These units were procured under previous contracts but left undelivered due to past delays.
"Nagdi-deliver na po tayo sa 46,000 public schools nationwide... tulong po ito ng AFP... sila po 'yung nag-deliver nationwide para masiguradong makarating 'yung mga kagamitan," Angara said.
(We're delivering to 46,000 public schools nationwide, with the help of the AFP, to ensure the equipment actually reaches schools.)
The DepEd chief said schools that joined the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) were prioritized after results showed students struggled not just with reading—but with basic computer use.
"Kung gusto natin iangat ang kalidad ng edukasyon, kailangan po natin ang tulong ng teknolohiya," he said.
(If we want to improve the quality of education, we need leverage technology.) — VDV, GMA Integrated News
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