Perceptions of Primary School Heads on Their Instructional Leadership Role in Mitigating Challenges of Covid-19 At Chilota Cluster, Hwange District

Abstract

The study was to explored perceptions of primary school heads on their instructional leadership role in mitigating challenges of COVID-19 at selected primary schools in Chilota cluster, Hwange district. Study objectives were; to explore school heads’ perceptions on the impact of COVID-19 on teaching and learning within Chilota Cluster primary schools, to establish the effectiveness of online teaching and learning in Chilota cluster, to examine challenges of online instruction perpetuated by the COVID-19 pandemic and to suggest strategies to mitigate the challenges of online teaching and learning in rural primary schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. The qualitative approach was employed to collect, analyse and interpret data. The questionnaires and interview guide were instruments used to collect data. Research finding were that school heads and teachers had mixed views on the impact of COVID-19 on teaching and learning at Chilota cluster in Hwange district. Both positive and negative impacts were established by the study, that no online teaching learning was done at the primary schools that participated in the study, that a number of challenges perpetuated by the COVID-19 pandemic impacted on online teaching and learning in schools understudy and that there is need for school leadership, local communities and other key stakeholders to work together providing and supporting online learning platforms to be used in teaching and learning during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The study recommended that, schools be equipped with appropriate ICT tools enhance instruction, that school heads in consultation with SDCs, need to come up with SDPs that will guide action at the school during unforeseen circumstances, that government spearheads continuous staff developed programs so that teachers improve ICT skills and further research be conducted in the entire Matabeleland North province to establish best ways implement to online instruction as a measure to address effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in the province.