CEBU CITY – After receiving a tongue-lashing from Sen. Pia Cayetano, the Cebu Normal University (CNU) is now the subject of an investigation by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
The agency on Tuesday, Aug. 5, announced that it will investigate officials of CNU after it shifted to full online classes without allegedly securing approval from its Board of Regents.
The school also did not consult key stakeholders, which could be a violation of national policies on flexible and on-site learning.
In a statement, CHED Chairperson Shirley C. Agrupis said CNU President Daniel A. Ariaso Sr. on July 21 issued Memorandum Circular No. 43, Series of 2025, placing all Main Campus classes under a 100 percent online setup, bypassing coordination with faculty, students, and the board.
CHED said Ariaso revoked the circular on Aug. 2 and replaced it with Memorandum Circular No. 45, Series of 2025.
The second memorandum reinstated the previously approved MC No. 12, which outlined a hybrid learning format, or five percent on-site and 25 percent online, for both the Main and Balamban campuses from Feb. 22 to Dec. 31, 2025.
CHED questioned MC No. 45 that introduced new provisions that had not been reviewed or approved by the university board.
The agency tasked its regional office in Central Visayas to assess if the changes violated CMO No. 4, Series of 2023, which sets updated guidelines for on-site learning in higher education.
A coalition of 18 student organizations criticized the university’s move to shift to online classes, saying it disrupted plans for those who had already relocated to Cebu.
The university earlier defended its decision. It said shifting to online classes was a necessary adjustment to allow the immediate start of construction of a building under its P2-billion campus modernization program.
Cayetano on Monday, Aug. 4, lambasted university and announced plans to file a Senate resolution for a formal inquiry.
“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.