International Journal of Early Childhood Special Education (INT-JECSE) DOI: 10.9756/INT-JECSE/V14I1.277 ISSN: 1308-5581 Vol 14, Issue 01 2022 PP:2363-2367 2363 Coping with COVID-19: How Public Secondary School Principals Adapt to the New Normal? Tarhata S. Guiamalon, PhD 1 Associate Professor/Dean of the Graduate School, Cotabato State University, Cotabato City, Philippines tarhataguiamalon@yahoo.com Husna T. Lumapenet, EdD 2 Assistant Professor/Director, Intellectual Property Rights Office, Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology, Doroluman, Arakan, Cotabato, Philippines *Corresponding Author: husnacfcst@gmail.com ORCID: 0000-0001-6225-8021 Mohamad S. Katog, MAEd 3 School Head, Langayen-ZT Hamid High School, Langayen, Pikit, Cotabato, Philippines mohamad.katog@deped.gov.ph Candidato L. Kalipa, PhD 4 Dean, Graduate School, Shariff Kabunsuan College, Inc., Bagua II, Cotabato City, Philippines ckalipa@cfcst.edu.ph Sema G. Dilna, EdD 5 University President, Cotabato State University, Cotabato City, Philippines dr_sem01@yahoo.com Abstract –The Department of Education has implemented the Learning Continuity Plan (LCP) in respsonse to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors conducted a qualitative study to understand and conceptualize the coping mechanism made by the public secondary principals in adapting to the new normal. Charles Darwins’ Adaptation Theory provided the conceptual theory for this study. The research questions addressed views and experiences of public secondary school principals in the Municipality of Pikit on how they are adapting to the new normal. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to 8 public secondary school principals. Interview results produced major themes relating to secondary school principals’ views on (a) how they respond in order to cope with the new normal education, and (b) how they adapt the new normal, and (c) experiences of the effects of COVID-19 pandemic. This qualitative research study illuminated the potential coping of the new normal among secondary school principals to reduce burnoutand maintain efficacy in a professional manner that will increase and further school success amidst Covid-19 pandemic. Keywords: Coping with COVID-19, public secondary school principals, new normal. Introduction Educational researchers reported that the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted school leaders, teachers, and students during the crisis. In a study conducted by Hefferman and Longmuir (The Educator, 2020), they reported that school leaders now understand that they are important key figures in the community (Kalipa, C. &Lumapenet, H. (2021). In the Philippines, the school principals are the forefront of pandemic learning (Guiamalon, T., Alon, SA., &Camsa, S. (2021). The emerging problems in the education sector brought about by the coronavirus pandemic is being cope by the schools through the collaboration within and outside of schools (Philstar, 2020). The COVID-19 pandemic worsened the challenges faced by the Department of Education as reported by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ, 2021).