THE PROCEDURES OF EDUCATION ADMINISTRATION AND THE EXPLORATION OF CHALLENGES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN PALESTINE

Abstract

The school education during Covid-19 pandemic requires managing it according to a plan
that is able to adapt to the requirements of the pandemic, because the pandemic has imposed
a set of challenges. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the main factors and challenges
facing school education management during the pandemic. Owing to this reason, this study
aims to explore the components of the Ministry of Education's plan that was designed to
manage school education during the pandemic. Also, the critical challenges facing the
management of school education. For the purpose of achieving the objectives of the study,
the documents issued by the Palestinian Ministry of Education were analyzed, and an
interview was conducted with a model sample consisting of: (8) teachers, (6) school
principals, (3) educational specialists, managers of two educational centers, employees of the
Ministry of Education, and two of the students' parents. After collecting and copying the data,
it was analyzed according to the (2014) model. The analysis of the documents revealed that
the ministry’s plan included the following elements: (1) the complete closure of schools as a
preventive measure (2) defining a health protocol (3) gradual return to schools (4) blended
education (5) training teachers on using technology in education.Participants reported that
there are five main challenges that impeded the implementation of the plan, namely (1) lack
of clarity of the plan, (2) technical issues of the e-learning system, (3) financial and logistical
support issues, (4) fear and confusion (5) lack of confidence in the procedures followed.The findings of this study benefit policymakers and researchers, as it enables them to better
identify the gaps that limited the successful management of education during the pandemic,
and then contribute and work to improve education management during crises.