Developing Professional Braille Educators... Ministry Announces Institutions for Braille Teacher Training

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the National Institute of the Korean Language announced on the 22nd that they have selected five institutions to systematically and professionally train 'braille teachers'.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the National Institute of the Korean Language announced on the 22nd that they have selected five institutions to train 'braille instructors' who will teach braille in a systematic and professional manner.

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The selected institutions are the Lifelong Education Institute affiliated with Dankook University, Siloam Welfare Center for the Blind under the Siloam Social Welfare Foundation, Braille Education Institute affiliated with U1 University, Jeju Welfare Center for the Blind, and the Korea Blind Union.

This measure is in accordance with the "Braille Act" that went into effect in February last year. The amendment to the Braille Act, enforced on February 28, 2025, includes provisions for the training of braille teachers as professional personnel for braille education, designation and support of braille educational institutions, and the implementation of braille proficiency tests to enhance braille skills.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the National Institute of the Korean Language accepted applications from institutions from March 3 to March 9. After a review by the Braille Policy Advisory Committee, five suitable institutions were finally selected. The review process checked whether the institutions could develop curricula in five areas: understanding visual impairment, braille standards, braille curriculum, braille instruction, and braille teaching practice, and operate a training program of at least 120 hours in total.

Braille teachers are classified into Level 1 and Level 2. To obtain Level 2 certification, one must have more than 300 hours of braille teaching experience, and meet at least one of the following requirements: passing the beginner or higher level of the braille proficiency test, or holding Level 3 or higher certification as a braille transcriptionist or proofreader, and complete at least 120 hours of training at one of the selected institutions.

For Level 1 certification, candidates must accumulate more than 300 hours of braille teaching experience after obtaining Level 2. The braille proficiency test is scheduled to be implemented in 2027, and applications for the braille teacher qualification review will begin in September.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the National Institute of the Korean Language stated, "As this year marks the 100th anniversary of Korean Braille Day, the launch of the braille teacher training program will serve as a pivotal turning point for specialized braille education. We will do our utmost to ensure the first braille teachers are produced without delay and to create an environment where all visually impaired individuals who need braille education can receive high-quality instruction."

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