Authors :
Dr. Goodness Xolile Tshabalala
Volume/Issue :
Volume 8 - 2023, Issue 12 - December
Google Scholar :
http://tinyurl.com/3n6t22dz
Scribd :
http://tinyurl.com/5834mxdh
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10390765
Abstract :
The study reported in this paper examined
leadership practices and experiences of school principals
during a pandemic. The critical question was: ‘How have
Eswatini primary school principals experienced leading
schools under a pandemic?’ This is a qualitative paper
embedded in the interpretative paradigm employing a
case study design and sense-making theory in which data
was generated through semi-structured interviews with
purposively and conveniently sampled Eswatini primary
school principals. Data was analysed through thematic
analysis. The findings revealed several leadership
practices that reflected diverse experiences of leading a
school during a pandemic such as adaptation,
collaboration, and learning from colleagues. From the
narratives of principals, I deduced three conclusions,
which are significant for understanding leading a school
during a pandemic which is; creativity and innovation,
adapting and coping with change, and that effective
leadership is about the identification of what works in a
given context rather than sticking to rules and
regulations. The study further recommends that training
and support should be provided for school principals to
enable them to effectively lead a school during a
pandemic.
Keywords :
Challenging Contexts, Pandemic, Remote Learning, Coping, Compliance.
The study reported in this paper examined
leadership practices and experiences of school principals
during a pandemic. The critical question was: ‘How have
Eswatini primary school principals experienced leading
schools under a pandemic?’ This is a qualitative paper
embedded in the interpretative paradigm employing a
case study design and sense-making theory in which data
was generated through semi-structured interviews with
purposively and conveniently sampled Eswatini primary
school principals. Data was analysed through thematic
analysis. The findings revealed several leadership
practices that reflected diverse experiences of leading a
school during a pandemic such as adaptation,
collaboration, and learning from colleagues. From the
narratives of principals, I deduced three conclusions,
which are significant for understanding leading a school
during a pandemic which is; creativity and innovation,
adapting and coping with change, and that effective
leadership is about the identification of what works in a
given context rather than sticking to rules and
regulations. The study further recommends that training
and support should be provided for school principals to
enable them to effectively lead a school during a
pandemic.
Keywords :
Challenging Contexts, Pandemic, Remote Learning, Coping, Compliance.
