Ministry of Culture Opens Braille Education Center... Trains Teachers and Conducts Annual Certification Exam

Only 16 Percent of Visually Impaired Can Read Braille
‘Braille Teachers’ to Be Trained Starting in 2027
One Regional ‘Braille Education Center’ to Be Designated in Each of 17 Provinces by 2028
‘Braille Proficiency Test’ to Be Held Annually Starting in 2026

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that the ‘Enforcement Decree of the Braille Act’ and the ‘Enforcement Rules of the Braille Act,’ which include support measures related to braille education, will be enforced starting from the 28th.

Braille guide map installed inside Gyeongbokgung Palace. Photo by Yonhap News

The amendment to the ‘Braille Act’ includes ▲training braille teachers as professionals responsible for braille education ▲designation and support of braille education centers ▲implementation of braille proficiency tests to evaluate braille skills improvement. Since the promulgation of the amendment on February 27 last year, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has conducted surveys, research, and collected opinions for one year to prepare the amendment and the draft enforcement rules.

Only 16% of Visually Impaired Can Read Braille

According to the 2023 Disability Status Survey, among visually impaired people who require braille use due to severe disability (estimated 50,000 nationwide), only 16% are either able to read braille (13%) or currently learning braille (3%). Although braille education in schools is conducted at some discretion, 77% of visually impaired individuals become visually impaired after reaching adulthood, and there is a lack of professional personnel to systematically teach braille and regional braille education institutions for them.

‘Braille Teachers’ to be Trained Starting 2027

Through the enforcement of the amended ‘Braille Act’ and related subordinate laws, a qualification system for braille teachers who will professionally handle braille education will be established. Braille teachers are classified into Grade 1 and Grade 2. ▲Grade 1 braille teachers must meet the requirement of having conducted over 300 hours of braille education after obtaining Grade 2 qualification, and ▲Grade 2 braille teachers must have either conducted over 300 hours of braille education, passed the braille proficiency test at the beginner level or higher, or obtained a Grade 3 or higher certification as a braille transcriber/proofreader, and must complete 120 hours of essential coursework in the braille teacher training program. The development of a standard braille teacher training curriculum will begin this year, and braille teachers are expected to be produced starting in 2027.

One Regional ‘Braille Education Center’ to be Designated in Each of 17 Provinces by 2028

Braille-related corporations and organizations that meet professional personnel and facility requirements will be designated as braille education centers and partially supported with necessary expenses. Eligibility for support requires one full-time manager with at least 5 years of experience in braille-related work, one instructor who has obtained certification as a braille transcriber/proofreader or braille teacher, and an educational environment of a certain standard or higher. Designation as a braille education center will consider business performance over the past three years.

‘Braille Proficiency Test’ to be Held Once Annually Starting 2026

The braille proficiency test will be conducted once a year. The test is divided into beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, evaluating two areas: braille reading and writing. A braille proficiency evaluation model and detailed guidelines for test operation will be developed, and after a pilot test, the braille proficiency test will be implemented from 2026 onward.

A policy official from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism stated, “We will prepare thoroughly to ensure the newly introduced braille teacher qualification system, designation and support of braille education centers, and braille proficiency test are implemented smoothly,” and added, “We expect that the enforcement of the ‘Braille Act’ and its subordinate laws will contribute to reducing braille illiteracy among visually impaired people and expanding their right to access information.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.