MANILA — The Senate approved on third and final reading a bill seeking to decongest public schools, expand access to education, and strengthen safeguards against corruption through a unified voucher system for basic education.

Senator Bam Aquino, author and sponsor of Senate Bill No. 1981 or the Basic Education Voucher Program Act, said the measure aims to address classroom shortages by allowing students to transfer from overcrowded public schools to participating private schools using educational vouchers.

“The aim of this bill is to reduce overcrowding in public schools through private education vouchers,” he said.

Aquino cited findings from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), noting that the country faces a shortage of at least 165,000 classrooms, resulting in overcrowding, shifting schedules, and unsafe learning conditions in many public schools.

“This is an important step toward addressing the crisis in our education system… Let us ensure that no child is left behind in our country,” he said.

Under the measure, a nationwide voucher system will be established covering Kindergarten to Grade 12, enabling students from congested public schools to enroll in participating private institutions.

Priority beneficiaries include students from low-income households, beneficiaries of the 4Ps program, learners from Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs), Indigenous Peoples, learners with disabilities, and children under foster care.

“This program is important because it directly helps families… especially students who need Special Education (SPED),” Aquino said.

The bill also includes safeguards against fraud and abuse, with penalties for violations and provisions aimed at preventing “ghost beneficiaries.”

“We will ensure that there are no more ghost students and no one can take advantage of the system… what our students need is education, not corruption,” he stressed.

The measure is part of broader efforts to address the country’s education challenges by complementing classroom construction programs and strengthening the role of private schools in the education system.