- First Grade II certificates awarded through Braille teacher qualification review to candidates with both Braille proficiency and teaching skills

- Quality learning environment lays the foundation for the next 100 years of Braille education

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister CHAE Hwi-young, MCST), together with the National Institute of Korean Language (Director-General LEE Kwan-kyu, NIKL), awarded Grade II Braille teacher* certificates to 20 people on November 4 (Wednesday), “Hangul Braille Day,” following the first-ever Braille teacher qualification review.

* A national qualification granted under Article 11 of the “Braille Act” to individuals with expertise in Braille education

Certification of Braille Teachers to Strengthen Expertise and Deliver Quality Braille Education

The certification of these teachers is a key outcome of amendments to the “Braille Act” that took effect last year, aimed at strengthening expertise in Braille education and providing quality Braille education to people with visual impairments. The occasion is especially significant because the first Braille teachers have been certified in the year marking Hangul Braille’s 100th anniversary and 10 years after the “Braille Act” was enacted in 2016, laying the foundation for Braille education for the next 100 years.

The Grade II Braille teacher qualification is granted to applicants who have at least 300 hours of Braille teaching experience, hold a Grade III or higher Braille transcriber and proofreader certification, or have passed the Braille Proficiency Examination at the beginner level or higher. Applicants must also have completed an approved Braille teacher training program. The Grade I qualification can be obtained after earning the Grade II qualification and accumulating at least 300 hours of Braille teaching experience in total, with up to 120 hours recognized per year.

The newly certified teachers had prior Braille teaching experience or held Braille transcriber and proofreader certifications. They earned their qualifications after completing at least 120 additional hours of Braille teacher training designed to develop their expertise as Braille teachers.

KIM Yun-mi, Secretary General of Songam Braille Library, who received Braille Teacher Certificate No. 1 in this first year of certification, stated, “I am delighted to become the first Braille teacher in this meaningful year marking the 100th anniversary of the proclamation of Hangul Braille. I will continue to research teaching materials and methods and do my utmost to help more people with visual impairments persevere and discover the joy of learning through Braille.”

The MCST and NIKL plan to continue training and supporting Braille teachers to create an environment in which all people with visual impairments who need Braille education can receive quality instruction without being left behind.