TOT training on online safety and coping strategies was delivered

A TOT training on online safety issues namely dis/misinformation, hate crime, financial scam, identity theft, cyberbullying and harassment, sex trafficking, and terrorist recruitment, and coping strategies was delivered for 90 high school ICT teachers selected from 45 private and public schools of 12 zonal towns and 3 city administrations of the Amhara region.

The training was held at Bahirdar and Dessie towns from July 31-August 1, 2021. According to Dr. Tesfamariam Mulugeta, the project PI and Vice Dean of College of Informatics at the University of Gondar, the project aims to 1) assess the awareness level and vulnerability of female high school students to online safety, 2) increase female high school students’ awareness level on online safety and 3) promote inclusion of online safety issues in Ethiopian high school ICT curriculum. The same training will be delivered to 3600 female high school students in 45 schools.

Mr. Birhanu Belay, delegates of the Amhara Region Education Bureau, made an opening speech and mentioned that online safety issues are one of the burning issues that causes many problems in Ethiopia and urged participant to fully utilize the knowledge and skill that they acquired from this training to protect themselves and their students from online safety threats. Mr. Birhanu also acknowledged the University of Gondar for raising a very critical issue.