The Role of Teachers in Motivating Middle School Students During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This study examines the role of teachers in motivating junior high school students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, a country heavily impacted by the virus, with cases surpassing 1,000 per day. The pandemic led to significant educational disruptions globally, including the closure of 646 schools in Indonesia, affecting approximately 68.8 million students who shifted to home-based learning, while 4.2 million teachers and lecturers adapted to remote teaching. This research aims to explore how teachers adjusted their roles to sustain and enhance student motivation amidst these challenges. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, data were collected through interviews and observations with three junior high school students meeting specific criteria. Findings reveal that teachers’ efforts to motivate students in Palopo, South Sulawesi, were less effective than needed during the pandemic, as online learning weakened students' motivation, underscoring the essential role of teacher support in fostering students' potential.

Keywords: Teacher’s role, student learning motivation, COVID-19 pandemic