Providing quality education to students in PHL, Indonesia

AFTER 18 years of pursuing its mission to make lives better through education, Phinma Education (www. Phinma.edu.ph) welcomed over 95,000 students in SY 21-22, resulting in a 79 percent revenue increase, year-on-year. The organization, made up of 10 schools in the Philippines and Indonesia, offers over 110 programs covering the entire education chain and boasts a 75 percent board exam passing rate for firsttime takers.

“It is only with an intimate understanding of the needs and aspirations of our underserved, firstgeneration students can we make their lives better,” said Phinma chairman and CEO Ramon R. del Rosario Jr. in a July 18 press briefing. The majority of Phinma Education students come from the bottom of the pyramid and are often the first in their families to enter college.

“Our students need quality education now more than ever,” said Dr. Chito B. Salazar, president and CEO of Phinma Education at the same briefing. He continued, “Because we were able to serve the needs of our market at a time when the continuity of their education was most challenging for them, we were able to grow our network to the biggest it has ever been.”

In SY 2021-2022, Phinma Education welcomed 95,503 students, a 31 percent increase from 72,746 students in SY 2020-2021. According to finance chief Daisy C. Montinola, the increase in enrollment resulted in consolidated revenues of P3.79 billion, a 79 percent increase year-on-year.

The network attributes its success to being able to ensure that learning continues for its underserved students throughout the past two years when they needed it the most.

Launched in 2020, Flex Learning and Remote and Distance (RAD) Learning both rely on printed materials and strong teacher and peer support through mobile data. The former will allow students to return to school once regulations allow, while the latter is completely home-based. Because the majority of its students could not afford to be online, it partnered with Globe and PLDT-SMART to provide students with mobile data every month.

“Our students want to learn, no matter what. Their perseverance in the face of so many challenges inspires us to serve them better,” explained strategy chief Trissa M. Menardo.

In SY 2022-2023, Flex Learning will move to a two to four system of two days in-person classes and four days of remote and independent learning. It will distribute students’ in-person classes throughout the week to comply with the minimum public health standards. Students and their teachers will be assigned to only one shift to limit the number of people inside the campus. Self-sufficient modules, alternative assessments, streamlined instructions, and most importantly, remote coaching, will be maintained for both Flex Learning and Radlearning.

Construction is already in full swing to cater to an even bigger number of students. It recently opened the San Jose campus of Phinma Araullo University, and acquired a new lot in Phinma University of Pangasinan which will house a seven-storey building with a roof deck. It is also constructing a building in Phinma Rizal College of Laguna and a new Phinma Cagayan de Oro College campus in Iligan City. And to upgrade its dentistry program, Southwestern University Phinma is set to open its new Dentistry building.

Dr. Raymundo P. Reyes, country chief for the Philippines explained that to ensure sustainability in its growing number of schools, it has institutionalized an Environmental and Social Management System Policy across its campuses. All schools now have Material Recovery Facilities and green technologies, including solar panels, rainwater catchment systems, gray water facilities, and sewer treatment plants.