Challenges faced by School Heads in leading Primary Schools during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mpopoma Cluster

Abstract

This study examined challenges being faced by School Heads in leading schools during the Covid-19 pandemic in Mpopoma Primary Schools Cluster. A descriptive survey research design anchored in a pragmatic paradigm which accommodates mixed or uses a variety of approaches was used to provide the best answer to the research question for this study. The researcher used semi-structured interviews and questionnaires to generate data. Purposive sampling and random sampling techniques were used to select respondents. The sample for the study consisted of five School Heads, five Deputy Heads and five Teachers in Charge (TICs) to make a total sample of fifteen respondents.

Findings reveal that schools were facing numerous challenges such as being crippled financially due to decreased income and increased expenditure. Teachers found themselves being unable to utilise their usual teaching strategies under the Covid-19 regulations. They were no longer able to utilise core elements of their teaching approaches such as group work because of social distancing requirements, non-sharing of teaching and learning materials. Schools suffered the capacity to offer effective online learning as the pandemic deepened existing inequalities and vulnerabilities in learning and educational outcomes. Recommendations drawn from these observations include the need for government to support schools with urgent resources, encourage them to embrace technology for enhancement of teaching and learning. The government to consider providing laptops, free internet services in schools, promotes and support accelerated learning approaches to help learners bridge learning gaps.