The increasing rate of Internet usage amongst young people, especially those who are still in the schooling system, has become a critical area of discussion, and often concern, in the Basic Education Sector. Following cyber security threats and online violence, emanating from cybercrimes such as identity theft, online sexual grooming or cyber bullying, the DBE identified the need for learners to be educated on online safety to become responsible digital users.

The DBE, joined by the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) and Google, organised the Online Safety Curriculum Guideline Strategic Workshop to engage national and provincial education officials specialising in Life Orientation Curricula, School Safety, E-Learning and Quality Learning and Teaching Campaign (QLTC) programmes in schools to promote the effective use of the Internet for academic benefits. The workshop, which was facilitated by Dr Karen Walstra from Google, took place at the Manhattan Hotel in Pretoria from 27 – 28 May 2024. The Online Safety Curriculum Guideline was developed by the WCED, Google and Karen Walstra Consulting in 2020, in alignment with Life Orientation’s Curriculum Policy Statement content of Grades 8-12, Grades 10-12 Computer Aided Technology and Grades 10-12 Information Technology. Currently, it is only rolled out in Western Cape schools. Thus, the DBE aims to work together with the other eight Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) to roll out the Curriculum Guideline nationally.

The Online Safety in South African High Schools as a Curriculum Guideline for Grades 8-12 will support the teaching of the Life Orientation subject in schools to ensure that learners, teachers and parents have the necessary information to stay safe online. According to the Statistic Portal of South Africa, the digital population in South Africa, as of January 2019, reflected a total of 31.18 million internet users, of which 28.99 million were mobile users.

In her presentation, Dr Walstra stated that the Sector should consider a cellphone policy for schools. “Being online has many advantages and benefits for learners; being online helps learners learn from the world around them, developing and showcasing their talent in design, writing and music. However, being online is also fraught with risk. Without adequate knowledge of these rules and codes, learners can find themselves at risk of cybercrimes. Therefore, all learners require guidance from their parents, guardians and siblings to manage their online safety. In addition, schools can play a significant role in providing learners with a structured online educational experience. Older learners in high school, moving towards independent subscribers of Internet services, are our main target audience. This critical guideline links the topics from the DBE Curriculum Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS), in the Senior Phase and FET Phase Life Orientation Curriculum and the FET Phase Information Technology and Computer Applications Technology (CAT) Curriculum”. Dr Walstra indicated that the curriculum for online safety has been compiled in consultation with educators and experts in online safety issues at Google and with the representation of learners, teachers and principals of schools, and it is envisaged that the curriculum will introduce and reinforce the idea and practice of online safety and digital wellbeing amongst learners.

The workshop saw key provincial education officials from Life Orientation Curricula, School Safety, E-learning and QLTC sections across all nine provinces, supported by officials from Department of Social Development, UNICEF, and the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, embarking on critical discussion on cyber security in schools. Deliberations during the workshop were structured into graded themes. These themes included Grade 8 learners being safe online; Grade 9 learners being respectful digital citizens; Grade 10 learners being smart online; Grade 11 learners being responsible digital citizens; and Grade 12 learners being future ready. The DBE and partners expect participants to cascade information shared during the workshop to their respective provinces.

Director for School Safety at the DBE, Mr Sifiso Ngobese, explained that the collaborative effort by the DBE and Google symbolises Government’s commitment towards improving quality learning outcomes in schools: “Cyber security remains a key issue in the Basic Education Sector. We view the guideline as a critical milestone to provide intervention support to schools, particularly in the adoption of e-learning. The National School Safety Directorate is working closely with various units within the DBE, including Curriculum and E-education to promote safe Internet use amongst learners. I would like to thank Google for its keen interest in collaborating with the Sector in the fight against cybercrimes targeted at school-going children. I therefore encourage every participant to use the guideline for the benefit of learners in public schools across all nine provinces”.