Phinma Education Holdings Inc. has reported a 92 percent passing rate for its first-time takers of professional licensure examinations, a notable milestone considering most of its students entered college with significant learning gaps. Internal assessments show 65 percent of incoming freshmen had reading and math skills at or below Grade 5 level, while 99 percent were not yet fully prepared for college-level work when they enrolled.
The institution, which primarily serves students from low-income households, attributes this strong performance to moving away from traditional teaching methods. Instead, it uses targeted academic support, skills-focused curricula, and science-based instruction designed to build core abilities regardless of a student’s starting point. According to Phinma Education president and CEO Chito Salazar, the system is adjusted specifically to help more students finish their studies and succeed professionally.
Over the latest period, the school produced 43 board topnotchers, with 12 of its programs recognized as among the country’s best performers. Eight courses including nursing, education, optometry and pharmacy recorded passing rates higher than the national average.
To widen its reach and improve employability, Phinma has formed partnerships with government bodies and private firms. Its tie-up with NAPOLCOM offers scholarships for eligible dependents of police personnel across 12 of its campuses. A separate collaboration with Reed Elsevier Philippines has so far placed 154 students in internships, with 62 securing permanent jobs after their training.
