More than three-quarters of primary school principals felt "overwhelmed" during the initial onset of the Covid-19 pandemic but almost all said they believed their school had adapted well to the crisis, with almost 70% backing online learning. Written by researchers at Trinity College Dublin, the study focuses on principals as managers and leaders of school communities and the provision of digital education at Irish primary level during the lockdown. Referring to the "major disruption" caused by Covid, it said 3,240 primary schools with 37,839 staff and 559,365 students were impacted. It found that 77% of principals said they felt overwhelmed and 71% said they were emotionally exhausted, while 59% said they felt "isolated and disconnected" at the time. Between 66% and 70% of principals backed online learning and the ease with which it can be utilised, but 57% said online learning platforms have most of the functions that staff need to teach effectively, while 43% disagreed.

Source: Irish Examiner October 12, 2020 12:37 UTC