Consultancy Service for Developing Teaching and Learning Materials for French for Specific Purposes (FSP) in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Establishments in Rwanda

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (REOI) (CONSULTING SERVICES - FIRMS SELECTION) Project Name National Plan for the Teaching and Learning of French in Rwanda Source of Funds MINEDUC / AFD Grant Agreement Number CRW105901R Assignment Title Consultancy Service for Developing Teaching and Learning Materials for French for Specific Purposes (FSP) in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Establishments in Rwanda Procurement Method Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS) Submission Deadline As indicated in UMUCYO e-procurement system Submission Platform UMUCYO e-procurement system only 1. PROJECT BACKGROUND French is one of Rwanda's official languages. It was the main language of instruction until 2008, when English was adopted as the medium of instruction. In 2016, French was reintroduced as a foreign language in the school curriculum. However, teaching methodologies, resources, and assessment frameworks have not yet been fully adapted to this status. As a result, many students completing secondary education continue to face challenges in achieving a level of French proficiency that can support professional and academic opportunities in francophone contexts. Following the October 2018 Council of Ministers' decision to strengthen the use of French in Rwanda, the National Plan for the Teaching and Learning of French in Rwanda (NPFR) was developed. The NPFR addresses gaps in the teaching of French as a Foreign Language (FFL) across education levels, including general and technical institutions. Its overall objective is to equip young Rwandans with communicative skills in French, enabling them to interact effectively in professional and academic environments. The NPFR focuses on three complementary priorities: pre-service and in-service training of teachers in French language and methodology; improved access to appropriate teaching and learning materials and resources for FFL; and the development of French language use in connection with professional skills and employability. MINEDUC is responsible for overseeing and supervising implementation of the project financed under Grant Agreement No. CRW105901R. 2. ASSIGNMENT SCOPE AND OBJECTIVE Within the TVET sector, the teaching and learning of French faces a specific challenge. The transition from French as a language of instruction to French as a foreign language was not accompanied by sufficient methodological adaptation, teacher preparation, or development of appropriate teaching and learning resources adapted to TVET. This situation is compounded by the limited number of French teachers across the Rwanda Polytechnic network and the absence of structured materials that link French language learning to real professional communication needs. A curriculum revision process has been underway since early 2025, resulting in the validation of two new curricula for Rwanda Polytechnic, namely FR602 and FP602, and the initiation of the revision of Rwanda TVET Board curricula for Technical Secondary Schools. The present consultancy builds on these efforts by supporting finalization and accreditation of revised curricula, development of pedagogical resources, and creation of the human capital required for sustainable deployment of French for Specific Purposes (FSP) in TVET. French for Specific Purposes (FSP) refers to a didactic approach in which French language teaching is anchored in real professional communication situations relevant to a defined target audience. Unlike general French as a Foreign Language (FFL), FSP contextualizes learning within professional sectors and prepares learners to communicate in situations linked to employment, training, and workplace needs. The overall objective of this consultancy is to develop teaching and learning materials for French for Specific Purposes in TVET establishments in Rwanda, while strengthening institutional capacity for future deployment of FSP in the TVET and higher education system. The selected consulting firm will work with MINEDUC and affiliated institutions to: • complete and finalize the curriculum revision process for RTB and RP and support accreditation by NESA and HEC respectively; • develop and validate pedagogical units, teacher guides, and related teaching and learning resources for FSP in priority professional sectors; • constitute and train a national pool of FSP specialists drawn from Rwanda Polytechnic teachers and University of Rwanda lecturers; • support institutional anchoring of FSP through the preparation of a complete programmatic dossier for a certified FSP pathway at the University of Rwanda College of Education; and • prepare a practical cascade deployment guide for future roll-out of FSP approaches in TVET institutions. Key partner institutions may include Rwanda Polytechnic (RP), Rwanda TVET Board (RTB), University of Rwanda (UR), University of Rwanda College of Education (URCE), National Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA), Higher Education Council (HEC), MINEDUC, an