The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged the inclusion of “ghost students” in the Department of Education’s Senior High School Voucher Program (SHS-VP) for school years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024.
The audit found students listed as enrolled who never attended classes, were billed multiple times, or appeared in different campuses, resulting in overpayments of P868,500.
COA also noted that 3,356 voucher recipients were enrolled in prestigious private schools with high tuition fees, defeating the program’s goal of aiding underprivileged learners.
The lapses raise concerns over the misallocation of public funds and the integrity of the SHS-VP.
The audit covers the period when Vice President Sara Duterte served as DepEd secretary until July 2024, after which Sonny Angara took over the post.
Source: PhilNews24 | December 27, 2025
DEPED SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL VOUCHER PROGRAM FOUND TO INCLUDE GHOST STUDENTS, SAYS COA
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