Principals of schools in a situation of Covid-19 in Panama

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic significantly impacted the population in various ways, and within the educational sector, school principals played a crucial role in facing substantial challenges to adapt to the new normal, especially considering that education has historically been in-person. This descriptive research, with an ex post facto design, aims to describe the experience of school principals in Panama during the Covid-19 situation, to understand their emotions and personal situation before, during, and after the pandemic. The study population included 3100 principals of official schools, and the sample was stratified by quotas and zones, including principals from educational centers in urban, rural, and indigenous areas, with an expected sample size of 540 principals. The results indicate that it is critical to pay attention to the emotions and personal activities of the principals during 2020, which showed a profile of possible depression with worry (52.7%), sadness (46.6%), fear (45.4%), boredom (35.2%), and weight gain (33.6%), in addition to an increase in feelings of fatigue in 2021 (26.9%). In conclusion, the guidance and psychological support provided to educational staff have been insufficient to address the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.