STI sees enrollment pressure as war hits transport costs
Listed education firm STI Education Systems Holdings Inc. may face enrollment pressure as rising fuel costs and global conflict strain household budgets.
In an interview, STI chair Eusebio Tanco said uncertainties tied to the Middle East war could weigh on student enrollment, particularly as families tighten spending.
“This slowdown—that could persist especially with this conflict,” Tanco said.
He noted that while STI continues to attract transferees due to relatively affordable tuition, broader economic pressures may still push students to seek cheaper options.
“What I’m saying is that people will slide down the tuition ladder,” Tanco said.
He added that transport costs, driven by higher fuel prices, could further complicate students’ ability to attend in-person classes, raising the possibility of alternative learning setups.
STI’s total enrollment for the school year 2025-2026 reached 132,941, down 4.5 percent from 139,155 in the previous year.
The decline was largely attributed to the earlier opening of classes in public junior and senior high schools, which drew students away from private institutions.
Despite the overall drop, the company saw gains in key segments. Enrollment in tertiary programs inched up to 102,407 from 101,256, while the number of students in Commission on Higher Education-regulated programs who chose to stay with STI rose to 73,421.
