North West Department of Education Launches Online Safety Training Workshop in Rustenburg

The North West Department of Education, in partnership with the Department of Basic Education and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has successfully wrapped up the first day of its provincial online safety training workshop at Kings Gate Palace in Rustenburg. This three-day event, running from 3-5 September 2024, is designed to equip educators with essential knowledge and skills to help learners navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.

The workshop, recognising the growing influence of technology in education, aims to address both the positive and negative impacts of the cyber world on learning environments. As part of its commitment to educational advancement, North West has been selected as the pilot province for this groundbreaking initiative.

MEC for Education in the North West, Viola Motsumi, expressed her enthusiasm for the workshop’s progress. “I am delighted by the positive response and engagement from our educators and stakeholders during this training. By equipping them with the tools to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly, we are taking a significant step towards ensuring that our schools are not only places of learning but also safe havens for our youth. From here, our educators will transfer the skills learned to learners in their schools, so they use cyberspace responsibly and not as a platform to bully each other,” Motsumi said.

Motsumi also highlighted the importance of the collaboration with various stakeholders, including the Film and Publication Board, Google, and the Department of Communication and Digital Technologies, to address challenges in cyberspace and optimise cybersecurity for school-going children. Other notable participants in the workshop include MTN, Agape Youth Movement, Movingdot, teacher unions, and School Governing Bodies.

The online safety training provides educators with valuable insights into best practices and strategies to address challenges faced by school communities. This training is a crucial milestone in the department’s ongoing efforts to prepare learners for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, ensuring that they can thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.