This guide is for secondary Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and ICT teachers who are interested to learn about Scratch and coding in general. It focuses on the competences needed to integrate Scratch in STEM and ICT lessons and initiate after-school Scratch coding clubs in secondary schools. In these coding clubs, secondary school learners will learn about coding and Scratch in a social and fun way.

Quality education provides all learners with the capacities to become economically productive, develop sustainable livelihoods, contribute to peaceful societies and enhance individual wellbeing. In 2016, Rwanda has introduced a competency-based curriculum (CBC) with the purpose to shift the focus of instruction from knowledge to competences. Competences mean the application of knowledge and skills in daily life. The CBC puts emphasis on crosscutting competences such as problem-solving, collaboration, self-regulation, communication and creativity. Learning how to code will help learners to develop all these skills.

The Rwandan government has formulated its Vision 2050. In this vision, the Government has expressed the ambition to transform Rwanda to a high-income country based on services (instead of agriculture and industry). A key condition to achieve this vision is quality education, in particular in the fields of STEM and ICT. Competences in STEM and ICT will enable students to find fulfilling work or start their own business.

However, important challenges remain. One challenge is that many girls (and their parents) and teachers still think that STEM and ICT are for boys, and that girls are more suitable for humanities or caring jobs. Although there are currently more girls enrolled in secondary education than boys, boys continue to outperform girls. This is particularly true in ICT and STEM. As a result, many girls in Rwanda hesitate to choose ICT- and STEM-related fields as they come to believe that these subjects are more suitable for boys.

Scratch is being used by educators all around the world. From pre-primary to higher education and beyond, across subject areas, educators of all backgrounds and experience are helping learners engage in creative computing with Scratch. Our goal is to help teachers connect, share, and learn from each other—and to help learners who are new to Scratch join the fun.