Leaders get tested during trying times ---when there are calamities, disasters and, yes, a pandemic.

The actions and decisions made by them during a crisis could either make or break an institution. During disruptive times, leaders could either rise or fall.

The pandemic has been such a huge challenge not only to education officials and teachers but to school leaders as well. Never has everybody been so tested, and never has the education sector been turned upside down and inside up.

The children never stopped learning during the health crisis and despite the repeated lockdowns and quarantine restrictions speaks well of how the education sector has been able to cope well by adopting novel systems and adapting to change.

The pandemic is the biggest test school leaders have so far faced. Just like teachers, they have to set aside their personal problems and overcome their fears to steer their schools through the crisis. They have to ensure that there will be no void in education, think of safe and effective methods to deliver learning, help their community, and build hope and shore up the confidence of their personnel.

Leadership is critical during difficult and challenging times. Taking charge during uncertain times can be daunting. It is thus crucial for the Department of Education to sustain its support to school leaders and education officials by further training them or finding ways wherein their best practices are shared. Above and beyond all their tasks and responsibilities, school leaders have to focus on two vital issues ---teaching and learning. They have to consider all the concerns and challenges that affect teachers and learners and find the best system and environment to continue delivering education.

Leadership comes to force in giving support to the Education department’s campaign for education continuity. Effective leadership will be needed as the education sector takes on every challenge and rides on the waves of change.

During these times, school leaders have to draw on every skill and use all the help and tools available to be effective. It is crucial for the government, particularly education officials, to nurture an environment of training, learning and sharing among and between figures of authority who play critical roles in the education of the youth.

At the same time, there is also the need to train emerging leaders, for there come a time when they will be called upon to step up. Consistent training will ensure that these future leaders develop the skills, knowledge, capabilities, discipline and behavior that will turn them into effective.

Sustaining an environment of training will ensure that the education sector will never run out of effective and capable leaders who must embrace creativity and be innovative in addressing challenges, no matter how humongous these may be.

An institution’s most precious asset is its human resource. Investing in their training and development is not only wise but crucial.