In July 2024, SunStar Lacson publicly criticized a parent's social media post claiming a ₱15,000 tuition fee subsidy from a private school accredited under the Education Service Contracting (ESC) program. The parent suggested using the subsidy to purchase NBA cards, prompting Lacson, then from DepEd Region III, to call for responsible use of government assistance. The ESC is part of the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) program, designed to support students in need.
Revised Guidelines Issued in March 2026
The Department of Education issued DepEd Order No. 011, s. 2026 in March 2026, titled the Revised Guidelines on the Implementation of Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (E-GASTPE). This order harmonizes and updates policies for the Educational Service Contracting (ESC), Teachers' Salary Subsidy (TSS), and Senior High School Voucher Program (SHS VP). The revision aims to ensure financial assistance reaches those who genuinely need it.
Voucher Eligibility Does Not Guarantee Beneficiary Status
According to Article VII, Section 33 of the new order, eligibility for the Senior High School Voucher Program does not automatically confer beneficiary status. While Grade 10 completers may apply, the voucher grant depends on compliance with specific conditions and procedures. Being eligible only permits participation in the application process; final approval is subject to evaluation.
Strict Categorization and Prioritization
Eligible learners are grouped into Categories A to E. Applications undergo screening, verification, and approval through the VP-participating Senior High School (Categories A to D) or the Online Voucher Application Portal (Category E). Approval depends on meeting eligibility requirements, submitting complete documentation, school capacity, prioritization guidelines, and fund availability. Even qualified applicants may not be accommodated if conditions are unmet.
Priority Categories Defined
The program follows a strict prioritization system. Category A receives the highest priority and includes learners from poor or near-poor households, 4Ps beneficiaries, learners in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, Indigenous Peoples, and those with disabilities. Category B includes public school completers from poor to middle-middle income families, with additional priority for those from overcrowded schools. Category C covers ALS or PEPT passers from similar income groups, while Category D includes former ESC grantees.
Within each category, applicants are ranked by household income: poor, low-income, lower-middle income, and middle-middle income. This layered system ensures limited resources target the greatest need. As Lacson noted in her 2024 post, “There are a lot of students more deserving to receive this subsidy if you will just spend it for such expenses.”
Impact of the New Guidelines
The revised guidelines address concerns about misuse of subsidies by tightening eligibility and prioritization. By ensuring that only the most vulnerable students receive assistance, the DepEd aims to preserve the integrity of the GASTPE program. The policy changes respond to public criticism and aim to prevent funds from being used for non-educational purposes.
