‘Digital skills critical for primary school learners’

Lilongwe Civil Society Organisation Network has asked government to invest more in digital learning in rural primary schools.

The network’s vice- chairperson Harold Munthali, who is also World Vision Malawi Lilongwe district manager, said this on Monday during the commemoration of Day of the African Child in Traditional Authority Mazengera.

“Children in rural areas should have the right to access information and participate in the digital world and be provided with the necessary digital literacy skills,” he said.

Munthali emphasised the need for relevant stakeholders to implement appropriate safeguards to ensure that privacy and confidentiality of the children data is well managed.

“Parents should always check what their children are watching and government and service providers must do their part in ensuring online safety for children to prevent cyberbullying, grooming, trafficking and exposure to inappropriate material,” he said.

Lilongwe District Council vice-chairperson Gideon Masache welcomed the suggestion, saying it will empower children with digital skills.

“Intensifying access to digital technologies is crucial. Our children need this, especially for their use to enable them to enjoy their rights to education, health and social protection.

“We, therefore, advocate for policy measures to equalise the digital split.”

The commemoration of the day, which falls on June 16, took place under the theme ‘The rights of the child in the digital environment’.