Maco teachers struggle to get signal to join webinar

Photo by Jeson Arias Mangca Celebre
Photo by Jeson Arias Mangca Celebre

SOME teachers of New Leyte National High School and New Leyte Elementary School in Maco, Davao de Oro braved the rainy weather and traveled to a higher location to get a better internet connection and attend the web seminar of the Department of Education (Deped).

In a phone interview with Jeson Arias Mangca Celebre, one of the teachers who went to the higher ground to catch a signal in New Leyte, Maco, said that lack of internet connection has been their perennial problem in the area.

For years, they have been visiting the higher ground to get a signal.

Several teachers went to the area bringing their phones to attend the first day of the webinar provided by Deped, which will last until Friday. Some teachers also brought their tent for more convenience.

"Naay memo ang Region 11 na tanang teacher kay mag proceed ug webinar unya ang area man namo kay hinay ug signal so naay part diri nga maka data so naga adto mi. Sauna pajud mi naga adto diri naanad najud mi (There is a memo from Deped-Davao for all the teachers to attend the webinar but in our area, we have a poor signal. We usually come to this spot since we can get a good signal here)," Celebre said.

Celebre said they do not usually go there unless there are files that need to be accessed online sent by their division. Also, when they want to check their social media accounts or contact their relatives.

Instead of going to Tagum City, which would take them hours to travel, they opted to proceed here.

With the current situation, Celebre said distance learning will be impossible to implement as some students do not have the needed information and communications technology (ICT) tools.

"Among gibuhat ang part kung unsa ang ipaabot sa amoa siyempre kay ginasweldohan pod baya mi. Sa among case naanad naman gud mi (We're just doing our part as teachers. Whatever is the order, we will just follow because we are being compensated. In our case, we get used to it)," he added.

In a separate interview, DepEd-Davao spokesperson Jenielito Atillo said the webinar that they are conducting is part of the efforts "to really hone the capabilities and capacities of our teachers in the face of the new normal situation of education."

In previous years, they conducted the training and seminars face to face but with the current pandemic, they cannot risk having it the same way as before, which explains the conduct of the webinar to inform the educators regarding the new normal in education.

Atillo acknowledged that there are areas in Davao Region that could barely get a signal to access the webinar. But he clarified that the webinar that they required is only for teachers.

He also expressed appreciation to the teachers in New Leyte for their resourcefulness to attend the webinar. But he reminded them to observe the safety protocols and ensure their safety as the picture shows that the teachers are situated in the blind curve of the roadside. It poses a safety threat because of the passing of vehicles.

"We really are happy with your display of conviction, your display of commitment, display for the love of work, and the love for children but please do not forget yourselves. You really have to protect yourselves. Mangita ta ug pamaagi nga safe ta (Find ways to be safe) and then let us not forget the implementation of the health protocols," he said.

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph