The Perceptions and Experiences of School Management Teams and Teachers regarding Continuing Professional Development of Teachers in Digital Literacy amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic gripped the world in 2020, the South African government, through the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC), introduced rigid regulations to curb the deadly novel coronavirus from spreading. The forced closure of schools was a bold step to take in order to manage the surge of the pandemic and save lives. While many schools resorted to online teaching, it became evident that many teachers lacked the necessary digital skills to manage online teaching programmes. Also, the lack of technological resources impacted negatively on teaching and learning in primary schools. This study aimed to determine the perceptions and experiences of School Management Teams (SMTs) and teachers regarding the provision of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) for teachers in digital literacy. Using a phenomenological approach, data was collected by means of interviews at four primary schools in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan area of the Eastern Cape Province. The study found that most SMT members did not make digital literacy a priority because they lacked the necessary knowledge and skills. It is recommended that teachers and SMTs should be trained in using digital platforms so that teaching and learning can be enhanced. Continuing Professional Development of Teachers in Digital Literacy 339