Primary school pupils in 11 additional schools will learn programming, computer science and code writing using the Finnish book series “Hello Ruby.” The schools in question will receive the books Adventures in Coding and Journey inside the Computer, which aim to develop media literacy, critical thinking and analytical skills among the youngsters, from the Communications Commission free of charge. Earlier today, the Commission trained around 40 teachers in using the “Hello Ruby” teaching methods. As of today, 3250 pupils in 21 schools have used the “Hello Ruby” textbooks. The number of schools will increase to 61 in the near future. 

The Communications Commission organised training in using the “Hello Ruby” teaching method for public schoolteachers in Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Tskaltubo, Batumi, Gori, Rustavi, Ozurgeti, Telavi, Tkibuli, Dmanisi, Khashuri, Akhaltsikhe, Chiatura, Samtredia, Mtskheta, Lagodekhi, Tianeti, Poti, Kareli, Mukhrani, Sagarejo and Kobuleti. The training course was led by a teacher from School N4 in Rustavi, who is certified in the “Hello Ruby” teaching method and has been using it to teach programming and computer science for more than 3 years. 

The meeting was opened by Head of Media Literacy Department of Communications Commission Mariam Dakhundaridze, who emphasised the importance of media literacy and popularity of “Hello Ruby” textbooks. The meeting was also attended by the technology expert from the Ministry of Education and Science Sandro Asatiani, who highlighted the role of “Hello Ruby” teaching methods in IT. Director of the Rustavi Public School N4 Mamuka Khamkhadze shared his experience of teaching “Hello Ruby” with the participants. 

“Hello Ruby” is a successful series of books that has already been adopted by 25 countries. It aims to develop critical thinking and analytical skills among primary school pupils. The books have been translated into 25 languages, including English, German, French, Italian, Estonian and Japanese. The Communications Commission obtained exclusive rights from the book author to translate and publish “Hello Ruby” in Georgian. Together with the Ministry of Education and Science, the Commission has been introducing the Finnish books in public and private schools across Georgia since 2019.