The liberal MP Ionuț Stroe asks the Minister of Education, Daniel David, to launch a national debate on media education in schools, considering that Romania urgently needs a strategy to train students’ digital discernment.
Ionuţ Stroe proposes a national debate on media education. PHOTO: Facebook/Ionuţ Stroe
In a post published on Thursday, October 18, on Facebook, Ionuţ Stroe welcomed the minister’s initiative regarding the development of a guide for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in schools, but drew attention to the fact that this is not enough without a broader vision on media literacy.
“I welcome the statement of the Minister of Education, Daniel David, today, regarding the development of a guide for the use of artificial intelligence in schools. I believe that this approach is necessary, but not sufficient. In fact, Romania needs an educational strategy that goes towards the formation of discernment”, wrote the Liberal MP.
“The real problem is not how we use AI, but who uses it”
In the same post, Ionuţ Stroe points out that digital education must go beyond the technical level and focus on developing young people’s critical thinking and analytical capacity.
“The real problem is not just how we use AI, but who uses it and with what level of media literacy. Without critical thinking, students can end up believing whatever they see online, and in the age of disinformation, that means social vulnerability.” he warns.
The deputy emphasizes that, in the face of the phenomenon of misinformation and massive exposure to digital content, the school must train students capable of distinguishing truthful information from manipulation, so that, in order to combat the effects of the lack of digital discernment, Ionuț Stroe proposes the introduction of media education as a transversal principle in primary and secondary education and as a compulsory subject in high school.
He also considers it necessary to create a national “media literacy” program for teachers, which would provide access to practical courses, digital platforms and professional certification.
“Would it be appropriate to introduce media education as a transversal principle in primary and secondary school and as a compulsory subject in high school? How can we train teachers? Is a national media literacy program for teachers possible, which would give them access to practical courses, digital platforms and professional certification in the field? Because teachers must be the first to understand how digital discernment is formed”, the liberal deputy comes with concrete proposals.
“It’s like when you want to teach swimming but you’ve never been in the water”
Given all these problems, Ionuţ Stroe asks the Minister of Education to bring together all the actors involved, i.e. teachers, digital experts, NGOs and political decision-makers, to build a coherent media education strategy.
“I’m asking Minister Daniel David that we all sit down and launch a national debate on media education in schools. Let’s address the cause, not the effect,” this one also writes.
The PNL deputy believes that teachers must be the first to be trained to impart solid digital skills and critical thinking to students.
“It’s like when you want to teach swimming, but you’ve never been in the water. We can’t ask students to use AI responsibly if teachers don’t have the tools to explain it.” Ionuţ Stroe scored.
His statements come in the context in which the Minister of Education, Daniel David, recently announced the intention to develop a guide on the use of artificial intelligence in the school environment. The document is to establish rules for the responsible use of emerging technologies, both for students and teachers.
Ionuţ Stroe appreciates the initiative, but draws attention to the fact that without a solid culture of media discernment, any digital strategy risks remaining superficial.
