STI Education Systems Holdings, Inc. reported an 18 percent rise in net income to P1.08 billion for the first half of its 2025–2026 fiscal year, driven by higher revenues and stronger retention in its tertiary programmes despite a modest decline in overall enrolment.
The Philippines-based education group, which operates the country’s largest private school network, said gross revenues reached P2.83 billion for the July to December 2025 period, up 8 percent from P2.63 billion a year earlier. The gains offset a 4.5 percent drop in total student enrolment, underscoring what the company described as improved operating efficiency.
Revenue Growth Outpaces Enrolment Dip
Total enrolment for school year 2025–2026 stood at 132,941 students, down from 139,155 in the previous year. The company attributed the decline largely to the earlier opening of public junior and senior high schools on June 16, 2025, which redirected some students to state-funded institutions.
Yet beneath the headline figures, STI’s tertiary segment showed resilience. Enrolment in higher education programmes rose to 102,407 students, up from 101,256 a year earlier. More notably, the number of continuing students in programmes regulated by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) climbed 14 percent to 73,421.
The figures suggest that while fewer new students enrolled overall, more stayed on to complete their degrees — a dynamic that stabilised revenues and improved margins during the reporting period.
Targeted Campus Gains
Several campuses registered marked improvements, reflecting demand in specific regions and specialised institutions.
- STI West Negros University in Bacolod City recorded a 3 percent increase in enrolment to 14,890 students.
- The Philippine School of Business Administration (PSBA), managed by STI Education Services Group, posted a sharp 45 percent surge in enrolment to 1,583 students, up from 1,095.
- iACADEMY, with campuses in Makati and Cebu, enrolled 1,899 students.
The company’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30, aligning with the academic calendar — a structure that places the bulk of tuition-related income within its first and second reporting quarters.
Focus on “Job-Ready” Graduates
In a statement accompanying its disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, STI Holdings reiterated its emphasis on industry-aligned programmes.
“STI Holdings stays committed to producing job-ready graduates by adopting specialized platforms for cybersecurity and computer-aided design for its Criminology and Information and Communication Technology programs, as well as Adobe Creative Cloud licenses for its Multimedia Arts program,” the company said.
“This initiative prepares students for industry-aligned certifications, aimed at further increasing competitiveness in the modern workforce.”
The strategy reflects a broader shift in private education toward skills-based training in technology and applied disciplines, fields that typically command stronger employment outcomes and can justify tuition premiums even amid tighter household budgets.
Balancing Public and Private Pressures
The earlier start of public schools last June altered the enrolment landscape nationwide. For many families, free public education offers immediate financial relief. For private operators such as STI Holdings, the challenge lies in differentiating their offerings while maintaining affordability.
The latest results indicate that retention and programme specialisation may be cushioning the impact. Like a vessel adjusting its ballast in shifting tides, the company appears to have stabilised earnings by focusing on students who remain through to completion.
STI shares responded positively following the announcement, climbing 3.08 percent to P1.34 on March 6, 2026.
For a listed education provider operating across the Philippine archipelago, the half-year results suggest cautious momentum: fewer students overall, but stronger financial footing and growing demand in key tertiary segments.
