SEN. Pia Cayetano yesterday criticized the Cebu Normal University (CNU) for its sudden decision to shift all classes under its main campus to full online learning.
“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. A few hours of online instruction, in accordance with CHED (Commission on Higher Education) guidelines, may be reasonable. But to announce that all classes will be online? That is a disservice to the students,” Cayetano said.
Cayetano issued the statement after the CNU came up with Memorandum Circular No. 43 issued by CNU President Daniel Ariaso Sr. that its main campus will shift to online classes starting July 22 due to the implementation of the Centralized Student Smart Hub project, which will require the retrofitting of classrooms and buildings.
The program will continue until the issuance of a certificate of acceptance/usability and occupancy of the Centralized Students Smart Hub Center, the memo said, adding that students and faculty members of the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences and the CNU Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center-College of Medicine will be exempted from the program.
Cayetano said she understands the role of online tools in modern education, but a fully online learning is a “disservice to the students” since research conducted by the Cebu Technological University showed that many students continue to struggle with poor connectivity, digital illiteracy, and the mental and physical health impacts of online-only learning.
She also cited the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization’s (Unesco) International Commission on the Futures of Education report, which says that schools must remain secure, inclusive places where students and educators can engage in sustained face-to-face interaction.
She said that these experiences cannot be fully replicated in home-based or virtual learning environments.
“It is deeply concerning that these actions were undertaken without the necessary board approval and without consultation with students, parents, and other key stakeholders. This raises serious questions about the judgment and accountability of CNU President Daniel Ariaso Sr.,” she added.
Cayetano called on the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to immediately initiate a formal investigation into the 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.
