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The Transformation from COVID-19 Protocols to Post – COVID effective practices in Middle Schools.

Research Context and question.

The focus of this study is

• to look at the restrictions that were put in place
• evaluate their effectiveness
• determine which restrictions should be kept with modifications.
• look into which restrictions would assist the effective running of schools.

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Research Questions

1. How have the COVID-19 protocols impacted the running of middle schools?
2. When all restrictions have been eased, which protocols should remain in place in middle schools?
3. How can lessons learnt from COVID-19 protocols be implemented in an effective way in Middle Schools?

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Literature Review

Three Sections:-

1. Mitigation Principles that were introduced to Malta as a result of the pandemic.
2. Impact of COVID19
3. Impact of COVID19 on the Maltese Education System

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Mitigation Principles:-

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• Physical Distancing
• Home Classes
• Use of Masks and Visors
• Restriction on Activities
• Clusters
• Shielding of Vulnerable persons
• Monitoring of temperature
• One way flow system
• Contact with parents

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• Hygiene
• Outings
• School Transport
• COVID19 Link Person
• Ventilation

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Impact of COVID19

The decision taken to close schools affected 1.6 billion learners in 190 countries.

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School closure was detrimental to:-

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1. Social Activity
2. Economy

Online teaching. This had an effect on

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• Amount of work carried out
• Change in Learning environment
• Change in student interaction
• Students in a disadvantage background

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Impact of COVID19 in Malta and Maltese Education System

• School Closure.

Shift to online teaching – Recorded lessons, use of Teams,

introduction of teleskola, online synchronous lessons.

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Difficulties:-

• Lack of proper direction
• Students who disappeared from the radar
• Ineffectiveness of recorded lessons (some subjects)
• Difficulties faced by economically and socially vulnerable groups
• Difficulties of working parents.

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• Back to School with restrictions

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Difficulties

• Attendance of vulnerable students
• Hybrid mode of teaching
• Lack of teachers due to an increase in number of classes needed.
• Wellbeing of students

Methodology

Explanatory Research design

• Questionnaires distributed to all teachers in 5 middle schools within the 5 colleges chosen
• Data supported by 2 focus groups with 5 members of the SLT in each group.
• Semi-Structured interviews with the 5 Heads of the five colleges.

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Triangulation was carried out through:-

1. Different research methods used.
2. Comparing of Data from different participants

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Questionnaire analysed those restrictions that:-

• Helped keep transmition of COVID19 at Bay
• Those that were not effective at all.

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Focus Groups discussed:-

• Which measures should have remained in place after all restrictions were removed.

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Semi-Structured interviews:-

• The onus of decisions taken related to protocols was explored

Mixed Method Research

Findings

• More importance to hygiene.
• Social distance.
• One-way flow.
• Restricted entrance.
• Introduction of Security Personnel.
• Use of Digital Devices, tools and platforms.
• Use of Online meetings including Parents’ days.
• Online lessons.

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Restrictions that were effective

Restrictions that were ineffective

• Lack of clarity from Education Department.
• Recorded lessons to slot staggered breaks.
• Designated areas.
• Windows open in winter.
• Wearing of masks.
• Use of Perspex and roll up banners.

Findings

• Centrally driven measures should be given early.
• Ensuring that all students have digital devices.
• Decisions related to Health and Safety should be centrally driven.
• Absenteeism should always be covered by certificates.
• Online Platforms should be given more importance.
• Training for all parents and students.
• Reducing activities at school.
• Revision of Syllabi.

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Amendments that need to be carried out

Recommendations

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• Board to focus on lessons learnt.
• Policy related to online teaching drawn up.
• We cannot rely heavily on help that parents can give at home.
• Individual requests by school related to implementation of measures should be taken heed.
• More autonomy to schools related to teaching and learning.
• Set up of boards at school level to identify measures that should remain in place.
• Training on use of all platforms for Parents and students.
• Policy on use of online platforms.
• Focus on independent learning.
• Teams used throughout all schools for resources, uploading of homework and communication with parents.

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