MANAGEMENT OF PRE-PRIMARY AND PRIMARY EDUCATION IN NIGERIA IN POST COVID-19 ERA: SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND EXPERT PERSPECTIVE ON BEST PRACTICES

Abstract

This study investigated school administrators and experts' perspective on best practices in the management of pre-primary and primary education in Nigeria in post COVID-19 era. This study adopted descriptive survey research design. The population of this study
comprised all schools in Kwara State and early childhood and primary education teacher trainers in Kwara state. Twenty schools and ten experts were randomly sampled. The instrument used for this study was titled; Pre-primary and primary school administrators
perception on post COVID-19 era school management (PAPSM) and Pre-primary and primary school experts perception on post COVID-19 era school management (PEPSM). The instruments were validated and subjected to reliability test and the found reliability
index were 0.92 and 0.86 respectively using PPMC. The research questions were answered with frequency count, percentage and mean. The findings revealed that there was a clear indication that early childhood and primary education experts' perception on the best
practices in managing pre-primary and primary schools in post COVID-19 era were positive. It was recommended that teachers should also establish some classroom ground rules in accordance with the procedures established by the school administrators, as well as
the protocols established by the respective countries' Ministry of Health and/or local health bodies and authorities. In addition, teachers should ensure that students understand the precautions they should take to protect themselves and others from COVID-19.