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| Cartoon by Ms. Kim Jhewel Caoili, The Catalyst Editorial Cartoonist |
If education is truly the key, then who dares use it to open the money vault toward their pockets?
The Department of Education (DepEd) has been embroiled in yet another controversy. In recent weeks, it was discovered that several private schools have been billing the DepEd for the Senior High School (SHS) Voucher Program (SHS-VP) despite listing non-existent students in their records. Just last March 19, an unidentified private school was caught tagging DepEd for vouchers despite 98 percent of its supposed beneficiaries actually being enrolled in other schools.
If left unchecked, P52.5 million would be wasted in funds initially filed for the school year 2023-24.
To say that this is a pressing issue would be an understatement. This is a gross betrayal of public trust, where public funds meant to advance our education system are being funneled into the pockets of those who chose to prioritize personal gain over public service.
It is appalling to me that this important initiative, launched to bridge educational gaps for students from low-income households, has been marred by allegations of fraud and negligence. The discovery of ghost enrollees is just a fraction of the problem; the real beneficiaries of these schemes are organized academic institutions that blur the line between quality education and corruption.
Worse, this is not a new issue. In fact, these kinds of fraudulent practices were first exposed just a year after the implementation of the SHS-VP. Thus, this points to a severe lack of accountability—something neither these corrupt institutions nor even the Department of Education itself has done anything to stop. Why has this persisted, even growing stronger for nearly a decade, without stringent regulations in place? The answer is simple: the system itself enables it. The practice of removing corrupt officials is not enough; without firm consequences, these pervasive actions will only continue.
It is even more alarming when you realize that our education system, already in crisis, is further exploited by the very ones tasked with fixing it. The millions of pesos lost to corruption could have been crucial in decongesting public schools and improving teaching and learning conditions. Unlike the so-called "beneficiaries" of the SHS-VP, these concerns are very real and are actively plaguing our education system.
The national government must not turn a blind eye. Concrete measures must be put in place to ensure that the Senior High School Voucher Program benefits only deserving schools and students. Collaboration with independent auditing bodies must be prioritized to monitor fund allocation closely. Schools found guilty of fraudulent claims must be immediately blacklisted, and their officials barred from holding public office in the future.
More importantly, the Department of Education must take stricter action within its own ranks. Some of its officials are complicit in these corrupt activities, and corruption will only persist if these measures are not strictly implemented. Education must be upheld to a professional standard, and so should its leaders. They must practice what they preach.
This crisis is appalling but not surprising. A simple look inside a classroom and a quick observation of the students and the teachers who occupy it will reveal how dire our education system is today. From curriculum deficiencies to a lack of proper materials, qualified educators, congested facilities, and even the existence of "ghost learners," corruption has bled our system dry. And so, we must ask: Is education still the key to a better future?
If it is still, then it must not be held hostage by those who hide their shady intentions behind empty promises of progress. Reforms must happen now before another generation of learners is robbed of the quality education they deserve.
Article by Mr. Edcel Escaro, The Catalyst Editor-in-Chief
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Opinion