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Open AccessArticle
The Influence of the Pandemic on the Affective States of School Principals and Teachers: A Comparative Study between South Africa and Latvia
by
Leentjie van Jaarsveld
Leentjie van Jaarsveld 1,*,
Lasma Latsone
Lasma Latsone 2,
Charl Wolhuter
Charl Wolhuter 1
and
Branwen Challens
Branwen Challens 1
1
Faculty of Education, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa
2
Center of Education and Social Work, Riga Technical University Liepaja Academy, LV-3401 Liepaja, Latvia
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(8), 394; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13080394 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 25 April 2024
/
Revised: 17 July 2024
/
Accepted: 23 July 2024
/
Published: 26 July 2024
Abstract
This study explores the extensive influence of COVID-19 on the affective states of school principals and teachers. A comparative, qualitative study was conducted on Latvian and South African participants’ experiences during the pandemic, with a focus on leadership, change, extra workload, ICT, and uncertainty. A total of 59 participants from rural, urban, and private schools in both countries took part in this study. Data were collected by conducting interviews with open-ended questions after which themes were identified and grouped. The results demonstrated that the states of mind of Latvian school principals and teachers were more affected than those of South Africans for whom vaccination was not compulsory. Furthermore, it was found that technological adaptation was easier for Latvian than for South African educators. The role of the Department of Education has evoked mixed feelings. Leadership, and the lack of it, also influenced the affective states of school principals and teachers. Emotional support from society, family, and colleagues was experienced differently in Latvia than in South Africa. The results of this study revealed that a pandemic can be experienced differently by principals and teachers but also that there are similarities in these experiences, as no one is ever completely prepared for the effects of a pandemic.
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MDPI and ACS Style
van Jaarsveld, L.; Latsone, L.; Wolhuter, C.; Challens, B.
The Influence of the Pandemic on the Affective States of School Principals and Teachers: A Comparative Study between South Africa and Latvia. Soc. Sci. 2024, 13, 394.
https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13080394
AMA Style
van Jaarsveld L, Latsone L, Wolhuter C, Challens B.
The Influence of the Pandemic on the Affective States of School Principals and Teachers: A Comparative Study between South Africa and Latvia. Social Sciences. 2024; 13(8):394.
https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13080394
Chicago/Turabian Style
van Jaarsveld, Leentjie, Lasma Latsone, Charl Wolhuter, and Branwen Challens.
2024. "The Influence of the Pandemic on the Affective States of School Principals and Teachers: A Comparative Study between South Africa and Latvia" Social Sciences 13, no. 8: 394.
https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13080394
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