P12.3B SHS VOUCHER FUNDS BENEFITED NON-POOR STUDENTS, SAYS SENATOR

Nearly half of the P26.31 billion senior high school (SHS) voucher budget for 2024 went to non-poor households, Senator Win Gatchalian said.

The program provides financial aid of up to P22,500 for Grade 10 students to attend private high schools or colleges.

Cross-referencing with the Annual Poverty Indicators Survey, Gatchalian found that 67% of voucher recipients were from non-poor families.

He criticized the Department of Education for failing to update guidelines to prevent such leakages, noting the program has not been revised in two years.

Gatchalian warned that SHS is becoming profit-driven, with schools enrolling more students and leaving families to shoulder the cost.

Source: PhilNews24 | January 23, 2026