STI and DepEd Renew Partnership for Future-Ready Learners

By: Alyssah Lucman , May 20, 2026

STI Education Services Group, Inc. (STI) and the Department of Education (DepEd) formalized a renewed memorandum of understanding (MOU) in a ceremonial signing— another milestone cementing the long-standing private-public education partnerships in the country. The agreement covers a suite of programs designed to put quality, technology-driven education directly in the hands of Filipino learners who need it most. 

The challenge is well-documented. A 2021 Philippine Institute for Development Studies report found that only about 40% of Filipinos have basic digital skills with young people between ages 10 and 14 among the lowest. Many public schools still face significant gaps in ICT access and infrastructure. For students in these communities, becoming future-ready starts with gaining access first. 

That’s where this partnership comes in. Through the renewed MOU, STI opens its full network of 63 campuses, mobile school buses, modern training laboratories, and expertise in technology to become an extension of DepEd’s reach into underserved communities. 

“We are excited to share our resources to help build a generation of learners who will be genuinely prepared to face what’s next. We are honored and privileged to be partners with the Department of Education in this endeavor,” shared STI Vice-Chairman and CEO Atty. Monico V. Jacob at the signing.  

The signing builds on nearly two decades of joint work. STI Foundation launched its flagship “Driving Education Where IT Matters” advocacy under DepEd’s Adopt-a-School Program in 2007. Since then, STI’s fleet of mobile schools with fully equipped computer laboratories has reached over 1,200 sites, training more than 171,000 students, teachers, and community members across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.  

At the heart of this collaboration is the shared conviction that digital literacy is no longer a technical add-on, but a prerequisite for employment today.  

“This partnership aligns with President Marcos’s thrust to bridge the digital divide. STI is one of the country’s premier institutions for business administration and computer technology. We hope this inspires more learners to pursue entrepreneurship alongside ICT,” said DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara at the ceremony.  

Beyond computer access, the partnership will provide Grade 10 and Grade 12 students with a path to figure out what they want to do with those skills. Through STI’s Student’s Career Opportunity and Personality Evaluator (SCOPE) career assessment tool and Career Camp workshops in areas like entrepreneurship, mobile photography, and game development, students get hands-on exposure to real career possibilities before they even graduate senior high school. 

The ceremonial MOU signing was held on May 4, 2026, at the DepEd Central Office in Makati City. Representing DepEd were Secretary Sonny Angara, Undersecretary Atty. Debbie Jean Dijamco, and Director for Learning Systems Dan Faustin Ramirez. STI was represented by Chairman Eusebio H. Tanco, Vice-Chairman and CEO Atty. Monico V. Jacob, Vice President for Communications Elbert De Guzman, and Vice President for Academics Karen Precious LR. Tabije.