The provincial Online Safety Integrated Programme Provincial Training Workshops continued with a three-day training workshop held at the President Hotel in Bloemfontein from 28 to 30 May 2025. These workshops, an important component of school safety, helps to protect learners and educators from the potential risks of cyberbullying and empower them to be digitally literate and responsible.
The 5th Online Safety Workshop brought together participants from the DBE, the Free State Department of Education, experts from Google, UNESCO, the Department of Communications & Digital Technologies (DC&DT), the Film and Publication Board (FPB) and the AGAPE Youth Movement. The training emphasized the importance of integrating online safety into the Life Orientation (LO) curriculum, equipping learners with essential digital citizenship skills.
Acting Deputy Director-General in the Free State Province, Mr Tsatsi Montsho, welcomed participants and underscored the importance of “institutionalising online safety, since we live in the digital space”. Mr Sammy Maraba from the School Safety Directorate, indicated that all participating Directorates within the Basic Education Sector have a pivotal role to play in supporting the Programme, each according to its respective competencies.
Ms Mmaletjema Lekalakala, Child Protection Officer from the FPB, highlighted the dangerous effects of online addiction and excessive use of digital devices, which can lead to poor mental and physical health, reduced productivity and low self-esteem, highlighting legislation protecting children such as the Children’s Act, 38 of 2005 and the Protection from Harassment Act, 17 of 2011. Ms Siphokazi Novukuza from the DC&DT raised awareness about catfishing, which entails someone using a fake identity to trick others into believing that they are in a real online friendship or romance with them, citing relevant legislation pertaining to the phenomenon.
Brigadier Shaneck from the South African Police Service (SAPS) highlighted the role of SAPS, emphasising their involvement in addressing cybercrimes and supporting schools on the online safety initiative. She conveyed reporting lines, protocols and contact numbers that schools should follow. Mr Paseka Njobe from AGAPE Youth Movement focused on teaching strategies in the classroom, and amongst the strategies he mentioned critical thinking, cooperative learning and role playing. Dr Karen Walstra from Google highlighted different programmes offered by Google to schools, including online awareness and safety in schools, aligned to the Life Orientation Curriculum.
A total of 105 participants including educators, provincial and district officials and School Governing Body (SGB) Associations attended the workshop, some indicating that incorporating online safety into the LO curriculum will strengthen the subject and shape learners into digitally responsible citizens. The workshop concluded with a renewed commitment to advancing online safety in schools. In her closing remarks the Free State School Safety Director appealed to all attendees to make online safety their social responsibility as only a collective effort from stakeholders such as parents, teachers and SGBs could ensure online safety in schools.