Tiniyak ng Department of Education (DepEd) na magpapatuloy ang kanilang Senior High School Voucher Program (SHS VP), sa kabila ng mga hamon hinggil sa implementasyon nito.

Ito ang ipinahayag ng DepEd, na pinamumunuan ni Secretary Leonor Briones, kaugnay ng mga katanungan na kanilang natatanggap bunsod nang hindi pa rin pagbubukas ng aplikasyon ng programa para sa School Year (SY) 2019-2020.

Paliwanag ng DepEd, hindi pa nila mabuksan ang aplikasyon dahil sa kakulangang P5.9 bilyong budget.

Ayon sa DepEd, nahaharap sa hamon ang DepEd at kinakapos sa budget para sa pagpapatupad ng naturang programa dahil sa pagkabimbin ng 2019 General Appropriations Act (GFAA).

"Under the FY 2018 GAA, the total appropriation for the SHS VP in private and non-DepEd schools is P14.4 billion, while the 2019 NEP is P20.3 billion. As a result, the program is short of funds equivalent to P5.9 billion. In view of this, the application for the SHS VP for SY 2019-2020 is yet to be opened pending the issuance of the FY 2019 GAA," ayon sa DepEd.

Sa kabila nito, tiniyak ng DepEd na magpapatuloy ang naturang programa.

“It is the mandate of the Department to uphold the right of every Filipino to quality basic education by providing access, whether through public programs or through arrangements based on the principles of public-private partnership.

Consistent with Section 10 of Republic Act (RA) No. 10533 (An Act Enhancing the Philippine Basic Education System by Strengthening its Curriculum and Increasing the Number of Years for Basic Education, Appropriating Funds Therefor and for Other Purposes), DepEd will continue to engage the services of private educational institutions and non-DepEd public schools offering SHS through the voucher program under the Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (E-GASTPE)[1],” pagtiyak pa ng DepEd.

-Mary Ann Santiago