Private higher-education provider Stadio Holdings has increased student numbers by 8%, despite the tough economic environment.
In an update to be delivered at the group’s AGM on Wednesday, CEO Chris Vorster said total student numbers stood at 46,300 as of June, compared with 42,874 at the same point in 2023. He described the growth as “satisfactory” considering the tough economic conditions, with consumers under severe pressure.
Excluding the Milpark Education B2B business, growth in total student numbers was 15% and distance learning student numbers was 16%, he said in a statement.
Distance learning student numbers continued to show steady growth at 8% per annum with a second semester intake under way.
A similar overall growth in contact-learning student numbers was positive, especially considering the lower contact learning student numbers in the past two years, which negatively affected the returning student numbers in the current year, Vorster said.
The group’s higher education contact learning strategy is working, with total contact learning student numbers up 16% and new contact learning students up 14%, he said.
Its Centurion comprehensive campus saw 52% growth in students, confirming the decision to begin construction of the second comprehensive campus in Durbanville, he said.
The company said in March it was experiencing such high demand it has decided to proceed with building its Durbanville campus after numbers at its Bellville campus spiked 57% in 2024. It put a price tag of R220m for construction of phase one starting this year when it announced the development.
It plans to open the new location with 1,000 students in 2026 and possibly use it to support distance-education students who need to use computer labs or facilities after hours.
Construction will start in the second half of the year and is expected to be funded 50% through long-term debt and 50% through cash reserves.
Demand for private tertiary tuition is growing partly due to insufficient space at state universities, but students also enrol because there are fewer protests than at some government institutions.
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