Brief History of LNU
The history of Leyte Normal University traces its roots back to the pre-war years, reflecting its long-standing commitment to education and academic excellence. Established in 1921, it began as the Provincial Normal School, initially functioning as an extension of Leyte High School. Over the years, the institution experienced steady growth, evolving to meet the increasing demands for teacher education in the region. By 1938, it had expanded into a two-year collegiate training institution, offering more advanced academic programs to aspiring educators.
As the need for a more comprehensive teacher education program became evident, the institution took a significant step forward in 1952 when it transitioned into a degree-granting, four-year college. This milestone marked a new era for the school, as it now provided a complete teacher education curriculum along with a dedicated training department to ensure the practical application of pedagogical theories. It was during this period that the institution became officially known as Leyte Normal School, further solidifying its role as a premier educational institution in the region.
On June 14, 1976, Leyte Normal School underwent a significant transformation when it was converted into Leyte State College by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 944. This decree was signed by then-President Ferdinand Marcos as part of his administration’s efforts to enhance higher education institutions across the country. The conversion marked a major milestone in the institution’s history, allowing it to expand its academic programs and further its role in training educators and professionals.
The Congressman of the First District of Leyte, Hon. Cirilo Roy Montejo, recognizing the strength and capability of the institution, filed House Bill No. 22 proposing the conversion of Leyte State College into a university. Co-sponsored in the Senate by the Chairman of the Education Committee, Hon. Letecia Ramos Shahani, House Bill No. 22 was enacted into law under Republic Act No. 7901 finally converting the Leyte State College into Leyte Normal University on February 23, 1995.
In 1993, several undergraduate and graduate programs of the then Leyte State College were awarded Level I Accredited Status by the AACCUP. In 1996, these achieved Level II Accredited Status. Three programs received Level III, Phase I status while 4 others have on-going Level III status in 2005; 3 others were declared Level III, Phase 1 status in 2006 while 2 programs were reaccredited Level II status in the same year. At present, twenty (20) LNU programs are AACCUP Accredited. These are as follows: Level III re-accredited status — BEED, BSED, D.A. (LT), D.M. (HRM), Ph.D. (SSR), M.M., Ed.D., M.A.T., and M.A.Ed.; Level III — M.P.E.; Level II re-accredited — BSHRM, BSHAE; Level I accredited status — BEED-BSED, BSTHRM, BSSW and ABCom, and BSIT, M.E. and M.A.SpED are in Candidate status
