The switch to online schooling: Experiences of the pandemic from school principals in Malta

The health crisis brought about by COVID-19 affected education provision in a similar manner globally, in forcing school leaders to think of different ways of leading a school throughout the several lockdowns that brought about school closures, and the ensuing return to "normality" after more than 2 years. In Malta, the number of COVID-19 cases was comparatively low in relation to other global nations, with the lockdown periods and conditions reflecting this. However, school principals had to deal with a new, unprecedented reality in these challenging times. This chapter presents the narratives of three school principals from church and state schools in Malta, outlining how they improvised their leadership practices to support the teaching and learning provision. The main themes that emerge relate to mixed feelings to school closures, re-thinking one's leadership style due to transformed priorities, a re-invention of school life, building staff support structures, giving a new meaning to parental involvement, and an increased awareness of other realities; and viewing the pandemic as a positive experience. The school leadership pandemic experience of these Maltese school principals, despite being very contextual, has implications for theory, policy and practice that can be transposed to the wider leadership field.