The rattlings of Covid-19 are fast becoming my supreme teachers.
Odette Swift
I have not been a Principal for very long – in fact, I was in the “hot seat” for only 10 months when the sudden closure of schools was announced in South Africa on the 17th of March 2020.
COVID-19 swooped into KZN and South Africa after a returning national traveling from Italy. The stories of death and suffering from around the world quickly lit the spark of fear among many.
Steps needed to be taken to inform our staff and learners about the disease and how to stay safe, and ensure that sanitisers and regular handwashing were promoted.
Not long after that, schools were closed very suddenly (among a bevy of confusing messages saying close on the 18th, no the 17th, actually the 18th). It was immediately followed by some rapid-fire decisions about work for the “extended holidays” and communication with parents had to be made.
It was chaotic, it was messy, but we did it.
Once schools were already closed, our hard-working, thoughtful and measured State President, Mr Ramaphosa, announced a full scale lockdown, and then an extension.
The extended holiday now became a very extended holiday, resulting in 5 or more weeks of school missed. The School Management Team WhatsApp group was buzzing for days as we discussed getting more school work to learners, how many were engaging, how to ensure that learners feel connected and to help them with their anxiety and loneliness at home.
It would be an understatement to say that COVID-19 has been a supreme teacher to me in my role.
I am learning and sharing these lessons in this space, strengthens reflection. Thank you for sharing in these moments with me.