Revenue fell 7.8% year on year to RMB785.58 million as student enrolments slipped 7.0% and delivered tutoring hours contracted 8.1%.
Gross profit plunged 53.8% to RMB154.01 million, cutting the gross margin to 19.6% from 39.1% a year earlier. Cost of sales rose 21.7% to RMB631.57 million, driven mainly by higher teacher compensation and additional rental and depreciation linked to a larger learning-centre network.
After factoring in a RMB26.78 million net loss on other items—chiefly a RMB13.97 million fair-value loss on financial assets and investment-property markdowns—SCHOLAR EDU reported a net loss attributable to shareholders of RMB77.72 million, versus a RMB145.65 million profit in 2024.
Excluding RMB35.78 million of non-cash share-based compensation, the company booked an adjusted net loss of RMB41.94 million, compared with a RMB175.72 million adjusted profit the previous year. Basic and diluted losses per share were both RMB0.1410, against earnings per share of RMB0.2668 and RMB0.2608, respectively, in 2024.
Selling and administrative expenses rose 28.7% and 23.0%, respectively, reflecting intensified marketing and staffing for new geographic roll-outs. Research and development spending eased 3.1% to RMB25.65 million.
Operating cash generation helped lift cash and cash equivalents 21.0% to RMB472.75 million. Bank borrowings grew to RMB70.00 million, lifting the gearing ratio to 8.7% from 6.3%, while net current assets increased to RMB109.90 million.
No final dividend was proposed, compared with HK$0.07 per share paid for 2024.
Management attributed the earnings reversal to start-up losses at newly opened literacy centres—where trial courses were priced below regular rates—and to defaults on financial assets and receivables totaling RMB24.80 million. Looking ahead, the group intends to broaden its revenue base through educational tours, international courses and continued expansion of its “Le Xue” liberal-education brand while maintaining strict cost controls and leveraging artificial-intelligence technologies to enhance operational efficiency.