Exploring management of high school educators and learners during covid-19: a case study

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, normal school functionality was halted by unprecedented chaos in the management of both educators and learners. The abrupt increase in the number of learners who were directly or indirectly infected by the COVID-19 pandemic in the schools’ environments has brought confusion from managers about how to manage without fear. Thus, the study’s primary aim was to explore the management of high school educators and learners during COVID-19 at the Ubombo Circuit Management Cluster. Through a qualitative telephone semi-structured interview, the study’s main aim was achieved through four research objectives. Firstly, managers of high school educators and learners during COVID-19 were explored. Secondly, the reasons for the management of high school educators were also explored. Thirdly, the exploration of the environment where high school educators and learners were managed was explicitly presented. Lastly, the reasons why high school educators and learners were managed were explored. A case study design was deemed relevant for the study as it is qualitative in nature. Consequently, the non-probability sampling method was used. That is, four experienced members of the School Management Team were selected for the study. The centrality of management is thus brought forward by the disruptions made by the pandemic on schooling activities since there is little information on existing literature on how high school educators and learners were managed during COVID-19. The findings of the study reveal that the chaos painted by the COVID-19 pandemic was felt in the Department of Education, and nobody was prepared to face it. As a result, there was no specific format that school managers followed in managing high school educators and learners during COVID-19. Subsequently, most Ubombo Circuit Management Cluster school managers attempted various management strategies that they believed would cater for their schools. However, the strategies saw Grade 12 learners being prioritised in the management process. Therefore, the latter poses a gap that needs further research. Most school managers focused on managing Grade 12 learners instead of all learners during the COVID-19 pandemic.