IJC Developed the ‘Education for Media’ Textbook for Secondary Schools. Pupils from 14 Other Schools Will Learn to Distinguish Between True and False Information

Independent Journalism Center (IJC) continues to promote media education in educational institutions. Recently, IJC produced the second ‘Media Education’ textbook, this time for secondary schools. The textbook was developed by experts Loretta Handrabura and Natalia Griu and it is a continuity of efforts made by IJC to cultivate critical minds of pupils, so that the teenagers become aware and responsible media consumers.

The textbook, which is intended for teachers and pupils of grade 7 and 8, will help to create the youth media culture. In this respect, the textbook offers the necessary tools to help them discern between truth and untruth, between information and misinformation, to develop their analytical and synthesis skills. At the same time, the textbook encourages the pupils to use new technologies for their personal and professional development.
 
Starting with the 2018-2019 academic year, the optional ‘Media Education’ discipline for secondary schools, is studied in 14 schools from 10 districts of the Republic of Moldova and in Chisinau municipality. The course is taught by 18 teachers, and two other teachers teach it during the master classes.

In August, IJC organised two trainings for the secondary school teachers under the ‘Media Enabling Democracy, Inclusion and Accountability in Moldova (MEDIA-M)’ Project, funded by USAID Moldova and implemented by Internews in Moldova. The textbook sets for each grade are offered free of charge to the teachers who have attended the IJC training programs.

‘Media Education’ textbook for secondary schools was developed under ‘Strengthening Freedom of Opinion in the Republic of Moldova’ Project, implemented by the IJC with the support of DW Akademie and funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany.

IJC launched the ‘Media Education’ course for primary schools last academic year. In that phase, 26 teachers from 25 schools were involved. In the 2018-2019 academic year, more than 1.500 primary and secondary school pupils study education for media at optional or master classes.