26 Feb 2024

The Ministry of Education and Skills Development has launched the Cybersmart Student Online Safety programme, a nationwide peer-to peer programme designed to empower pupil leaders in different schools to promote online safety among their peers.

Launching the programme at St. Joseph’s College during the Safer Internet Day Commemoration recently, Minister of Communications, Knowledge and Technology Mr Thulagano Segokgo said the initiative was a visionary programme that was developed to ensure that messages about online safety reached learners in schools as quickly as possible.

While he hailed the SmartBots initiative for giving the nation access to the digital realm and thereby opening up opportunities for enhanced learning experiences for overall betterment of life, Mr Segokgo said there was a greater responsibility on the part of users of the internet to ensure their safety.

“Like any vast expanse, the internet harbours both treasures and perils,” he said, noting that there was therefore a need for awareness on issues of online safety.

He thus urged schools across the country, both public and private senior secondary schools to register when the call is made for them to participate in the Cybersmart Student Online Safety programme.

“To the educators, incorporate lessons on online safety into your teaching and empower our learners with the knowledge and tools they need while online to protect themselves and make informed decisions. To our learners, use the internet not just as consumers but as contributors to a safer, kinder and more informed online community,” Minister Segokgo said.

Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MESD), Deputy Director in the Department of ICT and Media Services Mr Taolo Tsimanyana linked the Cybersmart Student Online Safety programme to Botswana’s ongoing digitalisation efforts, which dated back to 1994 when computerisation of schools began.

He said over the years the education ministry had been riding on the Maitlamo national ICT policy, which advocated for the incorporation of ICT in schools to promote capacity building, infrastructure and content creation.

Mr Tsimanyana said that for better and improved learning, the ministry had embarked on school digitalisation through provision of digital gadgets for learners and teachers, including devices suitable for special needs students.

Mr Tsimanyana therefore encouraged learners to harness ICT and use it for purposes of shaping a better future for themselves.

St Joseph’s College principal Ms Constance Male said the theme for the day; Together for a Better Internet” called for all stakeholders to be cyber-smart to ensure a safer internet environment for all.

She acknowledged the ministry and the implementers of the programme for entrusting her school first with such an important initiative that was set to positively impact education development, encouraging her school community to harness the initiative for their greater good.

Managing Director of Liquid Intelligent Technologies, who are the developers and implementers of the programme, Mr Odirile Tamajobe said it would equip pupil leaders with knowledge and skills to impart to their peers on how to safely use the internet. Ends