from ARNOLD MULENGA in Lusaka, Zambia
Zambia Bureau
LUSAKA, (CAJ News) – ZAMBIA has opted for Cisco Networking Academy courses as it steps up its drive to ensure child online safety.
The Smart Zambia Institute, a division under the office of the President mandated to coordinate and implement e-government, and the Ministry of Education have partnered to engage the minors.
During the drive the two government agencies are promoting the Cisco Network Academy courses, namely, Introduction to Cybersecurity and Introduction to Data Science.
Officials hailed these courses as globally recognised, as the campaign moved to the Kamulanga Secondary School in the capital Lusaka on Thursday, to equip learners with tools to navigate digital risks.
Introduction to Cybersecurity focuses on current cyber trends, emerging threats and digital safety while Introduction to Data Science introduces learners to the fundamentals of data science and analytics, including the role of machine learning and data-driven decision-making.
These Cisco academy courses are self-paced and offered for free.
Brian Nawa, Smart Zambia Assistant Director for Digital Skills and Capabilities, and Edward Mushota, Assistant Director of ICT in the Ministry of Education officiated at the event at Kamulanga.
Smart Zambia notes that as young people spend more time on the internet for schoolwork and socialising, the risks multiply.
“That is why our team was there today (Thursday) not just to talk to them, but to listen and equip them with the tools they need to protect themselves,” Nawa said.
The campaign to shield youngsters from online risks commenced on February 1. It is scheduled to conclude on February 28.
“However, Smart Zambia Institute, in collaboration with its partners and stakeholders, will continue implementing related awareness and engagement activities throughout the remainder of the year,” Nawa said.
Zambia has in recent months enacted some laws to curb the abuse of the cyberspace.
– CAJ News