Kenya: Training curriculum for schools on online safety for children launched
With schools still largely closed for most students in Kenya and the social isolation that comes with it, children spend more time online studying and socialising. The online space however comes with dangers and risks that children need to learn to recognise and navigate. Terre des Hommes Netherlands and partners have developed a training module on Online Safety for children. The training manuals have been approved by the Kenyan Institute for Curriculum Development for use in Kenyan schools.
Risks and dangers online
The Internet is a window to the world and creates many opportunities for learning and discovery. Unfortunately, the Internet is not always a safe space, in particular for children who are often not aware of the risks and dangers. Especially at times when children are increasingly hanging out online, such as during the current Covid-19 pandemic, they need to be equipped with knowledge and skills to stay safe online.
Safe Online project
As part of its Safe Online project, the training module on Online Safety was initiated by Terre des Hommes Netherlands, and developed together with its partners ChildLine Kenya and African Institute for Children Studies. The manuals intend to create awareness among children, parents and caregivers to be able to identify, respond and prevent online abuse and exploitation.
Official curriculum approval
The approval of the training manuals by the Kenyan Institute for Curriculum Development ensures the training can be rolled out widely across Kenyan schools. So far, around 400 schools have been working with the manuals and confirmed its educational value.
The Ministry of Education officially launched the manuals in the presence of the initiators and various (semi)governmental bodies involved in online protection of children, such as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the Communications Authority of Kenya.
