Media Education: An Investment in Critical Thinking for the New Generation
In a rapidly evolving digital age, where information spreads quickly and often lacks transparency, the ability to analyze, evaluate, and comprehend media messages is crucial for fostering responsible, well-informed citizens.
Recognizing this need, an increasing number of educational institutions in the Republic of Moldova are incorporating the optional course Media Education into their school curricula. Among these are the Alexandru cel Bun Theoretical Lyceum in Rezina and the Al. Puskin Theoretical Lyceum in Falesti, where media education is steadily gaining ground.
In the 2024–2025 academic year, students from both primary and secondary levels had the opportunity to develop their critical thinking skills, explore how media and social networks operate, learn to ask questions, and distinguish between accurate and manipulative information.
The experience of these two institutions demonstrates that media education is not only engaging but also highly beneficial. Students themselves acknowledged its value, noting that they acquired the skills needed to navigate the digital world, formulate thoughtful questions, and protect themselves from misinformation.
Alexandru cel Bun Theoretical Lyceum in Rezina – Media Education as a Necessity
In the 2024–2025 academic year, 80 primary school students studied the optional course Media Education at Alexandru cel Bun Theoretical Lyceum in Rezina. During the summer of 2024, teachers Olga Covbasa and Alexandra Tuluc completed a training programme focused on media education at the primary level. Motivated by the experience, they committed to sharing their newly acquired knowledge with their students.
After a year of teaching the course, Olga Covbasa reflects: “Media education is more than a new subject – it’s a necessity in an ever-changing digital world. Students learn not just how to use technology, but how to think critically. Their sustained interest throughout the school year confirms the relevance and usefulness of this course, which addresses highly current issues.”
Her colleague, Alexandra Tuluc, adds: “I’ve noticed a positive shift in how students analyze information. Their questions are more thoughtful, and their curiosity about how technologies work has grown.”
This transformation was evident in students’ end-of-year reflections. Many described media education as “interesting and necessary” and appreciated that the textbook content was “clear, educational, and visually appealing, while also being fun.”
Fourth-grade student Damiana Pozdirca shared that she especially enjoyed learning about the history and uses of computers. Her classmate, Vladislav Laci, was particularly interested in the topics related to gadgets and basic computer functions.
Al. Puskin Theoretical Lyceum in Falesti – The students Learned to Ask Questions
At the Al. Puskin Theoretical Lyceum in Falesti media education has long been part of the high school curriculum. However, during the 2024-2025 academic year, teachers Gabriela Diaciuc and Tatiana Filipova expanded the program to include secondary-level students, following their participation in a media education training program organized by the Independent Journalism Center (IJC) in Balti in September 2024.
As a result, about 100 seventh-grade students developed media literacy and critical thinking skills through the course. At the end of the year, many expressed appreciations for what they had learned and showed enthusiasm for continuing to explore the subject.
They mentioned that they now look at information sources more critically and have learned to ask questions, seek evidence, and analyze how information is presented online.
“I learned how news and social media work. It was interesting to learn the difference between truth and falsehood. My favorite topic was about how media influences people,” said seventh-grader Ecaterina Burlacu.
Violeta Doija was particularly impressed by lessons on online safety and cyberbullying: “Now I know how to protect myself online.” Her classmate Anastasia Ciobanu appreciated the practical tips on verifying information and asking critical questions, noting: “These skills will be useful in both real life and the digital world.”
Teacher Gabriela Diaciuc emphasized the importance of practical activities such as analyzing news stories, examining advertising techniques, and creating media content. “These practical tasks helped students not only reinforce their theoretical knowledge but also connect personally with the subject,” she explained.
The course’s impact extended beyond the classroom. “Other teachers observed that students began to argue their points more confidently, express well-founded concerns, and seek dialogue. This proves that media education is not only useful but also a powerful tool for shaping a modern, responsible personality,” Diaciuc added.
While students’ levels of comprehension and engagement varied, even those who were initially less interested came to see the relevance of the topics to their everyday lives. “In the end, the course offered not only knowledge but also the ability to reflect, and that’s one of the most important skills in the 21st century,” she concluded.
In 2024, the teachers participated in media education training programs, at the primary level in Romanian and the secondary level in Russian, and subsequently chose to teach Media Education as an optional course in their schools.
Media education activities are part of the “Responding, Expanding and Acting on Disinformation” (READ) project jointly implemented by International Media Support (IMS) from Denmark and the Independent Journalism Center (IJC), with the financial support of the European Union.
