CNU splitting between onsite and online

CEBU, Philippines — Starting September 1, 2025, Cebu Normal University (CNU) will adopt a blended learning setup with 75% onsite and 25% online classes, while also introducing large-class formats and night classes to accommodate its growing student population.

The shift comes as the university continues retrofitting works for its Smart Classroom Project, with 35 classrooms set to be upgraded into fully-equipped digital learning spaces.

According to CNU President Dr. Daniel Ariaso Sr., the new setup is meant to balance the ongoing construction works with the need to safely accommodate the student population.

“Hopefully, the chipping works on the damaged tiles will be completed by September so that by October, we will have additional smart classrooms ready for use,” Ariaso said.

By October 15, 2025, the university expects the new smart classrooms --equipped with air-conditioning, CCTV cameras, biometric door access, digital whiteboards, projectors, and multimedia tools-- to be operational.

Each smart classroom carries a budget of ?1.2 million, forming part of the ?1.93-billion national funding allocated for CNU’s modernization program.

Of this amount, ?40 million goes to the CNU Medellin campus modernization.

Dr. Roberto Corcino, CNU enrollment coordinator, explained that the university conducted careful schedule mapping even before the retrofitting began.

“Originally, we had 47 classrooms. After retrofitting, only 21 remain usable, including the tourism lab and law classrooms,” Corcino said.

To address the shortage, CNU created 81 large classes, consolidating multiple sections of the same subject, preferably handled by one or two teachers.

These are being held in big venues such as the IKC Hall, TAC Building’s 7th-floor Conference Room, and the ACAS Auditorium.

The capacity limits have been set: 300 students for IKC, 200 for the TAC Conference Room, and 100 for ACAS Auditorium.

With 935 classes to handle, they had no choice but to maximize available spaces and even extend schedules. The shortage also forced the university to schedule classes on Fridays and introduce night classes starting at 9 P.M.

“Sa loading plotting of schedule team, wala na g’yud laing mabuhat kay zero-zero na g’yud except kung we put up night classes,” Corcino explained.

Ariaso assured that the administration is closely monitoring the construction projects to avoid disruptions.

“We want to make sure that by the time students return on September 1, there will be minimal incidents, if not zero,” he said.

The Smart Classroom Project is a flagship initiative under CNU’s ?2-billion modernization program aimed at transforming the campus into a “smart hub.”

Nearly ?998 million of the funding is earmarked for Information and Communication Technology modernization, while ?947 million will finance the centralized student smart hub.

The university unveiled its first model smart classroom on August 26, 2025, showcasing high-definition televisions, multimedia tools, and a fully air-conditioned environment designed to enhance teaching and learning.

It can be recalled that last July 22, 2025, the university began its full online arrangements, which has come under fire from students. — (FREEMAN)