DepEd seeks bigger 2026 budget for student aid, voucher programs

The Department of Education (DepEd) is seeking to implement stronger policies as it aims for bigger funding for government-funded assistance for the private education sector in 2026.

In a statement, DepEd said it is seeking P41.18 billion next year to fund the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE), a program that also helps ease overcrowding in public schools by sending some learners to private schools.

The proposed budget will support 989,471 junior high school grantees under the Educational Service Contracting program and 1,475,264 senior high school grantees under the Senior High School Voucher Program (SHS VP) in 2026.

It will also maintain the P24,000 annual Teachers’ Salary Subsidy (TSS) and assist 117,150 senior high school learners taking Technical-Vocational-Livelihood specializations.

“Ang lahat ng ito ay para siguraduhin ang pagbibigay ng dekalidad na edukasyon, lalo na sa mga lugar na kulang ang pampublikong paaralan (This effort is to ensure that we provide quality education, especially in areas where public schools are lacking)," Education Secretary Sonny Angara said.

"Kaya’t tungkulin ng DepEd na tiyakin na ang mas mataas na pondo para sa vouchers at subsidy ay ginagamit nang tama. Sa pakikipagtulungan sa private sector, sisiguraduhin nating tuloy at tiyak ang pag-aaral ng mahigit dalawang milyong kabataan,” he added.

(This is why DepEd must make sure that increased funding for vouchers and subsidies is being used properly. Through our collaboration with the private sector, we will ensure that the education of more than 2 million youth remains certain and uninterrupted.)

Angara also assured that DepEd will strictly monitor the fair use of the voucher system and other assistance programs.

He said the department is currently investigating seven private schools allegedly claiming subsidies for “ghost” voucher beneficiaries amounting to around P37.58 million.

“We want to ensure that subsidies are delivered on time and that program rules are applied consistently and fairly across regions. Bawat pisong inilalabas ng gobyerno para sa edukasyon, dapat makarating sa totoong mag-aaral,” Angara said. (“Every peso the government releases for education must reach a real student.”)

He added that DepEd will continue implementing reforms and policies to ensure wider program coverage and a more reliable learning environment for Filipino students.—MCG, GMA Integrated News