Senate to Look Into 22 Schools Over Alleged Ghost Students

Senate to Probe 22 Schools Over Alleged Ghost Students Linked to Senior High School Voucher Program

The Senate is set to investigate 22 schools reportedly involved in a case of fake student enrollments linked to the Senior High School Voucher Program.

The issue was discussed during the budget discussions for the Department of Education, where concerns were raised about possible misuse of government funds.

During the deliberations, it was pointed out that thousands of names were allegedly listed as enrolled in senior high schools in Pangasinan from 2021 to 2024, even though many of these students did not exist.

The issue caught public attention after a complainant reported the irregularity and was allegedly met with threats for speaking up.

Senators then questioned whether the Department of Education was aware of the situation and what actions had been taken. It was confirmed that the agency itself discovered the irregularities and immediately began looking into the schools involved.

As of this writing, seven of these institutions are already facing formal charges for their participation in the reported scheme.

Aside from the schools, two employees from the Department of Education are also facing charges related to the case. The ongoing review aims to determine the extent of responsibility and whether more individuals or institutions should be held accountable.

If evidence supports the allegations, the remaining 22 schools under scrutiny are expected to face charges within the year. While the Department of Education has provided the full list of schools to the Senate, it cannot yet be made public so as not to affect the ongoing investigation.

In another post, DepEd Bacolod adjusts senior high class schedule after parent raises concern

The controversy raises concerns about system monitoring and the potential impact such irregularities can have on budget planning and public trust.

The social media users expressed their reactions to the issue: