Abstract
This mini dissertation probes crisis management in private schools within the Johannesburg Central Business District (CBD) using the effects of Covid-19 as a case in time. Five school principals were identified to participate in this research. Data was collected through structured open-ended questionnaires and responses. Three objectives were identified; (a) the perspectives of private school principals once the president announced the unprecedented lockdown, (b) the perspective and challenges encountered by learners/ teachers during the online teaching and learning process and (c) how private schools overcome the challenges in terms of school fees collection, staff salaries, rents and stationeries. Using a qualitative analytical technique, collected data revealed massive challenges faced by private schools. Some respondents felt it was hell days in South Africa private educational system. The challenges and frustration were massive that words could not express as proclaimed by some respondents. There were no clear directives from the Department of Education (DoE), thus principals were forced to look for possible ways to encourage teachers in attempt to cover the school curricula, especially in examination classes. Not even one principal was able to respond with certainty that school curricula were covered.
The research concluded that, private schools principals and teachers did their best to cover the school curricula in the face of this crisis. All the private schools used in this research indicated challenges, from management to solvency. These challenges were severe in some schools than others. These were envisaged as some schools could not pay the teachers, rents and other overheads resulting to closure. Even schools that had some resilient also experience a fare share of difficulties with some results still a concern even after the Covid-19 pandemic. In either of the cases, the teachers suffered. Schools that closed their doors layout their teachers, while those with major challenges faced a decline in teachers‟ resumption. Overall, there was a massive learners‟ drop out; some of the effects of Covid-19 are still felt until date.