Senator slams CNU shift to online classes

CEBU, Philippines — Senator Pia S. Cayetano has slammed Cebu Normal University (CNU) for its sudden decision to shift all classes at its main campus to online modality due to an ongoing construction project, calling it a “failure in academic leadership” and a “disservice to students.”

“For a university of CNU’s stature, announcing a complete shift to online learning just before classes begin is unacceptable. This is tantamount to abandoning your students,” Cayetano said in a statement.

The senator urged the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to investigate the matter and hold CNU President Dr. Daniel Ariaso Sr. accountable. She also vowed to file a resolution seeking a Senate investigation.

“I call on CHED to immediately initiate a formal investigation into this matter. On my part, I will file a Senate resolution to ensure that this issue is thoroughly examined and that proper governance in our academic institutions is upheld,” she said.

Ariaso issued Memorandum Circular No. 43 on July 21, 2025, mandating all programs across the Main Campus—including the Integrated Laboratory School—to transition to online learning effective July 22. The policy, however, excludes students from the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences and the CNU-VSMMC College of Medicine.

According to the memorandum, the abrupt transition was due to retrofitting work tied to the ongoing Centralized Student Smart Hub project, which has rendered classrooms and buildings temporarily unusable.

Cayetano, a long-time advocate of education reform and supporter of state universities and colleges (SUCs), said she understands the utility of online instruction but stressed the importance of physical learning spaces.

“A few hours of online instruction, in accordance with CHED guidelines, may be reasonable. But to announce that all classes will be online? That is a disservice to the students,” she said, citing concerns over accessibility, quality, and equity.

The senator referenced research from Cebu Technological University showing that many students still grapple with poor internet connectivity, digital illiteracy, and the physical and mental toll of extended screen-based learning.

She also cited UNESCO’s International Commission on the Futures of Education report, which underscored the irreplaceable role of schools as inclusive, interactive spaces for learning.

Cayetano criticized the CNU administration for implementing the change without prior consultation or approval from the university’s board of regents.

“It is deeply concerning that these actions were undertaken without the necessary board approval and without consultation with students, parents, and other key stakeholders,” she said.

The senator's remarks came days after students held a protest in front of the CNU main gate on Osmeña Boulevard.

On July 25, dozens of students rallied against the university's decision, demanding transparency, accountability, and student representation in academic policy decisions.

Carrying placards with messages such as “Muted Voices Equals Muted Future” and “No to 100% Online Learning Set-Up,” the protesters asserted that fully online learning compromises the quality of education and the overall student experience.

As of writing, the CNU administration has not issued a new statement addressing the senator’s criticisms.

In earlier statements, however, Ariaso defended the university’s decision, describing the shift to online classes as a temporary and safety-driven measure linked to a major campus infrastructure upgrade.

He said the shift to online classes will only last until October 15, 2025, to allow for retrofitting works on 35 classrooms across key buildings, including the ASAB, College of Teacher Education, Science Building, ACAS, and parts of the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences.

These upgrades are part of the university’s Centralized Student Smart Hub project, a key component of its historic ?1.9-billion national funding, the largest in its 122-year history.

Of this, ?998 million is earmarked for ICT modernization and ?947 million for the Smart Hub. Over ?30 million is also allocated for the improvement of broadcast facilities to support remote learning.

According to the university, around 1,350 students are affected by the transition. Ariaso claimed that the decision was backed by both the academic and administrative councils.

He apologized to students who felt blindsided by the sudden shift as he assured the public that the faculty is ready to deliver quality instruction online, citing CNU’s consistent topnotchers in nursing and education as proof of its academic resilience, even during past remote learning phases. — (FREEMAN)