SHS voucher program bares beneficiaries with several reference numbers, enrolled in multiple schools

There are student beneficiaries of the Senior High School Voucher Program who have several learner reference numbers and are enrolled in multiple private schools, according to the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC).

In Tina Panganiban-Perez’s “24 Oras” report on Wednesday, each beneficiary has a learner’s reference number under the program.

“In 2016, some students had several learner reference numbers, even if isa lang yung bata (there is only one beneficiary),” Rod Malonzo of PEAC said.

“Student is enrolled in multiple schools, one or two schools,” Malonzo said, adding that it was already reported to the Department of Education (DepEd).

According to a group of private schools and administrators, private schools are strict, and the problem lies with the DepEd.

“So they asked us, you know, to present documents, the birth certificate, and all of that. And unfortunately, sometimes it takes so long for them. So we keep on telling them, this student is already with us one or two years. You have not fixed the system yet,” said Ingrid Yap of the Federation of Associations of Private Schools & Administrators (FAPSA) San Juan.

DepEd had removed 50 schools from the Senior High School Voucher Program as they have questionable claims to the agency.

Most of these schools were located in Metro Manila and Calabarzon.

DepEd said it continues to improve the Senior High School Voucher Program system, which has a P27 billion budget for the next school year.

“They are now already checked and blocked,” said DepEd director Jayson Lacbayan.

“I think we'll have to check with the system owners, program owners of the information system, which is planning, service, and the information communications technology service,” said DepEd director Vernice Quintana.

DepEd is also working on filing complaints against some private schools. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA Integrated News