World Braille Day Highlights Accessibility in South Sudan
As the world marked World Braille Day on January 4, the Rajaf Education Center for the Blind issued an appeal for stronger Braille literacy support in South Sudan. The school’s leadership called for expanded teacher training across the country’s ten states and three administrative areas.
Braille Literacy and Rights for Visually Impaired Learners
Braille is a tactile writing system using raised dots arranged in cells. Since Louis Braille developed it in 1824, it has been widely presented as a cornerstone of literacy for blind learners, supporting not only reading but also autonomy in education and broader participation in society.
Rajaf Education Center Warns of Centralised Specialist Support
In remarks to Eye Radio on Monday, January 5, Levi Sunday Clement, the Headteacher of the Rajaf Education Center for the Blind, pointed to what he described as a gap in the national system. He said specialised instruction remains highly centralised in Juba.
Nationwide Braille Teacher Training Urged Across All States
“There is a need for training for teachers dealing with the visually impaired to ensure inclusive education,” Clement said. “That can only be done through the training of teachers in the ten states and the three administrative areas.” He added that Rajaf is currently the only school in Juba teaching Braille.
Inclusive Education Linked to Materials and Skilled Educators
Clement argued that building Braille skills among teachers is essential to decentralising services, so visually impaired students can access qualified educators regardless of location. He also linked the push to the wider debate on “true inclusivity,” including the availability of Braille materials nationwide.
Curriculum Modernisation and the Case for Decentralised Support
The appeal comes as South Sudan seeks to modernise its education curriculum. Advocates say inclusive reforms must account for learners with visual impairments, with practical measures such as trained staff and accessible learning resources reaching communities beyond the capital (Eye Radio).