Nearly 7,000 Students in Border Provinces Gain Information Literacy Skills to Combat Fake News

The Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport has announced that approximately 7,000 students in border provinces have acquired knowledge in "information literacy." This education aims to enhance students' ability to counter cyber risks and the impact of fake news, fostering the development of "complete digital citizens" for the digital age. According to the ministry, this foundational knowledge serves as a shield and a compass for students to keep pace with the advancements of the digital era, meeting the skill demands of the 21st century. Information literacy strengthens the safe, smart, and responsible use of media, enabling students to evaluate information sources, protect their privacy, and defend against online risks. The initiative goes beyond merely teaching how to use information and the internet; students are cultivating deep critical thinking skills, especially crucial given the chaotic information prevalent on social media that significantly influences young people. As part of collaborative efforts to promote information literacy in education, the Digital Transformation Department of the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport, in cooperation with the private sector and the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, implemented a project to strengthen information literacy capacity for 100 teachers in four provinces: Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey, Stung Treng, and Mondulkiri. The training was conducted in two phases, with face-to-face sessions focusing on effective teaching methodologies and online sessions concentrating on content and techniques delivered via the ministry's capacity development platform. Through this project, the trained teachers became "master instructors," disseminating knowledge to students at their respective target schools. Consequently, approximately 7,000 students have benefited from acquiring knowledge in information literacy.