GES asked to introduce social media as an ‘extra’ subject in schools
The management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) amid the impact of social media in the present World has been urged to consider adding it as an extracurricular activity to the syllabus in pre-tertiary schools across Ghana.
Describing social media as a wide and impactful tool, blogger Augustus Koranteng Kyei, who made the call in an interview on GTV Breakfast Show monitored by Pretertery.com said besides its power to influence generations, it had come to stay.
The award-winning blogger and philanthropist said the rise of social media, if properly taken advantage of, can benefit school-going children along with its accompanying study of the English language as a subject.
Mr Koranteng Kyei emphasised that with guidance and watchful ethical eyes from parents and caregivers, children on social media platforms like Facebook could use social media to their advantage and better society progressively.
In a related development, the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) following the increasing spate of cyberbullying on social media and other online platforms is developing a framework to monitor students’ behaviour online and also protect them from cyber security threats.
The Director-General of the Authority, Dr Albert Antwi-Boasiako said due to recent reported incidences, the framework has become necessary as is being made possible by Cyber Security and Data Protection Laws enacted.
“By combining the provisions of the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038) and Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843) 2020, the Cyber Security Authority is in the process of developing a comprehensive framework to address the behaviours and implications of students’ online activities. This framework would encompass awareness campaigns, educational programmes, and guidelines for responsible online behaviour,” he assured.
Dr. Antwi-Bosiako in an address delivered on his behalf at a Cybersecurity awareness seminar encouraged the students who participated in the cybersecurity seminar to build a good online reputation which projects their values.
“Everything you post, share, or engage with online, leaves a trace that can be accessed by university admission officers, marketing companies, job recruiters, embassies, etc
This digital trial can have far-reaching negative or positive implications that can affect a student’s personal and professional life, such as scholarship offers or causing expulsion from the university due to online conduct
Students may also face immediate consequences such as cyberbullying, online harassment, online fraud, sextortion, blackmail, or reputational damage,” the Cyber Security Authority Director-General told students at the seminar.
