The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has announced plans to incorporate a Child Online Protection course into the current Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
During the launch of the Child Online Protection (COP) module on Thursday, September 30, CA acting Director-General, Mercy Wanjua, stated that the authority was working with education stakeholders to make the online space safer for learners.
"Initiatives we are keeping in view include a proposal to the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) which seeks to incorporate child online protection in the current CBC," she revealed.
Wanjua stated that the move was aimed at equipping the learners with online protection skills.
"The authority is also partnering with the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders with a focus on reviewing the schools' safety manuals in order to incorporate aspects of child online protection," the director added.
The CA boss further stated that the authority was engaging the teachers' employer on rolling out online protection courses for teachers in the country.
"Additionally we have commenced deliberations with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) in an effort to design and implement a capacity building program for school ICT teachers in Kenya," the director added.
She argued that it was necessary for teachers to be adequately equipped before rolling out the project to the learners.
"Educators are key in the character development of the child and as such, require necessary skills on online safety," Wanjua stated.
At the event, Ministry of Information Communication and Technology Cabinet Secretary, Joe Mucheru, stated that government initiatives would also apply to the learners during their school holidays.
"At the Ministry, we are also in collaboration with stakeholders to explore possible ways of deploying technology to facilitate teaching and learning for pupils while at home," Mucheru stated.
First Lady Margaret Kenyatta was the chief guest at the event.
