THE president of Cebu Normal University (CNU) is now being investigated by the Commission on Higher Education (Ched) for allegedly issuing a circular, mandating a sudden shift to 100 percent online learning, without approval from the university’s board of regents (BOR).
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In a statement released on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, the Ched Central Office directed its office in Central Visayas to investigate whether CNU committed any violation of the guidelines for on-site learning in higher education when CNU president Daniel Ariaso Sr. issued Memorandum Circular (MC) 43 last July 21, 2025 that mandated the online shift.
The move was reportedly done without consultation with students and faculty, and without the approval of the university’s BOR.
Deadline
Ched Central Visayas must submit its findings by Aug. 9, according to the order.
In a report by SunStar Cebu on July 25, Ariaso said the temporary shift was necessary to make way for a P2-billion modernization project.
The funds, which include a P1 billion Information and Communication Technology project and a P950 million centralized Student Smart Hub, must be used by Dec. 31, 2025, or the money will be forfeited.
Ariaso appealed for understanding from the university community.
The announcement was met with opposition from students.
The CNU Supreme Student Council issued a statement on July 25, complaining about the lack of consultation. The Council said it was not given a chance to propose alternative solutions despite the project’s urgency.
On Aug. 2, Ariaso issued a new directive, MC 45, which officially revoked MC 43. Instead, it reinstated MC 12, issued last Feb. 21, which mandated a BOR-approved hybrid learning model of 75 percent onsite and 25 percent online classes for both the main and Balamban campuses.
But Ched Central Office said a review of MC 45 revealed new provisions that had also not been submitted to the BOR for approval. (CDF)