The effect of COVID-19 on the teaching and learning relationship between learners, educators, and parents: A case study of a school in Soweto

Abstract

This study investigated the impact that COVID-19 had on the learning and teaching relationship between learners, educators, and parents/guardians. A qualitative research method and multiple case study research design were used in this study. The convenience sampling method was used to select participants for this study. The present study employed thematic analysis as a method of data analysis utilised a thematic analysis method to identify and make sense of participants experiences of the phenomenon of COVID-19 and its effects on the teaching and learning relationship. The research participants were derived from a school in Soweto. The recruited research participants were limited to 7 parents/guardians with learners in the school, 7 learners that were at the chosen school when the COVID-19 pandemic occurred, and 4 educators that were teaching at the school during the pandemic. Data was collected using semi-structured individual interviews with parents and educators and focus groups with learners. The themes that emerged included the different ways the education system was affected by the pandemic, the different ways that the pandemic affected the wellbeing of learners, parents and educators, the support systems put in place to strengthen parental involvement during the pandemic, and the ways in which the pandemic shaped the roles of learner, parents and educators. Results suggest that the teaching and learning relationship between learners, parents and educators in this township school were severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the study revealed that learners from low socio-economic status families in the school had limited to no access to teaching and learning during the pandemic due to challenges that include lack of resources, illiteracy amongst parents, lack of computer knowledge and inconclusive home environments to accommodate studying from home.