Citing concerns over potential fraud and misuse of funds, the Department of Education (DepEd) confirmed on Thursday, March 20, that it has sought the help of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe alleged abuses in the Senior High School Voucher Program (SHSVP).
In a statement, DepEd reiterated its commitment to transparency and accountability, emphasizing that it is also conducting an internal investigation into the matter.
DepEd said that it has “now tapped” the NBI to conduct an independent inquiry.
The SHSVP is a program that provides financial aid to students enrolling in private schools.
In response to reports of irregularities, DepEd has launched an internal probe to ensure accountability and safeguard public funds. The alleged abuses have also prompted calls for stricter oversight and reforms in the government’s education subsidy program.
Actions taken
Eight months into his term, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara directed the Central Office to inform the public about anomalies in the program.
Angara also authorized the Executive Committee to pursue all necessary legal and administrative actions to protect the program’s integrity and prevent future irregularities.
“We will ensure that the SHS Voucher Program remains a tool for educational access, not a loophole for fraud,” Angara said. “We are strengthening safeguards, reinforcing accountability, and making sure only rightful beneficiaries receive assistance,” he added.
During a House committee hearing on March 19, DepEd assured lawmakers of its full cooperation in addressing concerns regarding the program’s implementation.
Verification against fraud
DepEd is implementing stricter measures and enhanced validation protocols to prevent future irregularities.
“The verification process now involves multiple layers, beginning with cross-checking data between the Voucher Management System (VMS) and the Learner Information System (LIS) to ensure that learners listed in the billing statements are genuinely enrolled in the school,” DepEd explained.
A second level of validation is conducted at the Central Office (CO), where discrepancies between billing statements and LIS records are flagged.
“If inconsistencies are found, payments to schools are withheld until the issues are resolved,” DepEd added.
Additionally, DepEd noted that a post-billing monitoring process follows, conducted by the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC), which oversees participating schools.
“The final layer of verification is DepEd’s post-validation review, ensuring all prior verification processes have been completed before payments are made,” the agency said.
Moreover, DepEd has engaged Regional and Schools Division Offices (ROs/SDOs) to conduct school inspections and submit detailed reports to the Central Office.
This measure was implemented starting in the 2024–2025 school year. Additionally, DepEd noted that PEAC’s validation for the second semester is set to begin next month.
School monitoring has also been expanded, with the percentage of schools undergoing evaluation increasing from 10 percent to 20 percent, according to DepEd.
DepEd is also set to upgrade the LIS to include an audit trail to track all changes, automatic email alerts for data updates, and a system that maintains a complete learner history.
To further refine program implementation, DepEd is reviewing proposals for the recognition of SHS private schools.
As investigations continue, DepEd reaffirms its commitment to transparency and pledges full cooperation with Congress, the NBI, and other relevant authorities to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.