TEACHERS from different schools believe it is impossible to attain the goal of the Department of Education to have quality education with the school year 2020-2021 set to open next month.

Majority of the teachers agreed that the absence of internet connection in some areas in the country plays a crucial role in the application of blended learning, thus making it impossible to gain quality education.

“I will lie if I tell yes. Because as far as I know, our government particularly the DepEd is not prepared for this. We do not have the best tool for online learning,” said Martina Santos, a teacher in Tebag Elementary School in Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan.

For his part, Manila Science High School teacher Ron Paculanan said, “We can’t right now if we are going to base the connections of the telecom and internet providers in the Philippines. We can say that we are losing out on this matter because of the internet fee and the connection of the internet.”

Rodrigo Deguito Jr., a Home Economics teacher in Jose Abad Santos High School, said it will be hard to maintain quality education especially in public schools.

“I think it will be difficult for us to get quality education especially in public school because this is the first time that we will conduct a blended learning classroom session,” he said.

DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones said in one of her interviews that even without internet connection, students can have their education for this school year since the local government units will be handing out learning modules to students who do not have internet and gadgets.

But at the same time, the teachers also said despite the struggles, the LGUs and their schools are helping them in coping with blended learning.

“Making surveys is one to determine the lack of material needed for learning, especially for laptops or the internet,” Paculanan said.

“In Manila they will give free tablets for every student and free laptops for every teacher. Each school will train their teachers to use applications for blended learning,” Deguito Jr. said.

“The plan is to tap other stakeholders like barangay officials to help in distributing the modules to different learners. The school is preparing for the isolation facility for those who enrolled for the blended learning, wherein there is a face-to-face interaction with the learners. The school is also following the health protocols to ensure the safety of everyone,” Santos said.

Teachers are attending webinars, creating learning modules and materials, and watching in different social media in preparation for the opening of classes on August 24.

The activities are also preparing them to adapt to blended learning.