Light
for the World International, in collaboration with the Ministry of General
Education and Instruction has launched a training program for over 45 teachers
in sign language and braille in Juba.
The
training, held at Rombur National Teachers Training Institute (RNTTI), aims to
support persons with hearing impairment, increase the number of interpreters,
and promote inclusive education in the country.
"This
is an important initiative because children with disabilities have a right to
education," said Sophia Mohammed, Country Director of Light for the World
International - South Sudan. "There is need for qualified teachers in
inclusive education and classroom management to accommodate children who are
deaf, have hearing impairments, are blind, have visual impairments, physical
impairments, or intellectual disabilities."
The
training will span nine months for each braille and sign language course,
including inclusive education pedagogy. It targets over 1,400 teachers in the
next two years.
Mohammed
added, "The training will be conducted in three National Teachers Training
Institutes: Rambur, Maridi, and Maper. These institutes will receive teachers
from all states and three administrative areas."
Sign
language is a means of communication for deaf children, and teachers need these
skills to communicate and support children in schools. Similarly, braille is a
learning tool for the blind.
The
training will be provided by Light for the World, with support from MYRP
through Save the Children.
Rombur
National Teachers Training Institute, located in Kapuri, Luri Payam, Juba
County, was founded in 2009 by the then Autonomous Government of Southern
Sudan. Constructed with funding from the Government of Japan, RNTTI was first
established as a center for training science and mathematics teachers under the
project: Strengthening Mathematics and Sciences in Education. It
was officially handed over to the Ministry of General Education and Instruction
in 2011 as a center of excellence and is affiliated to the University of Juba.
Since
its establishment, the institute has produced 191 qualified teachers who are
currently active in the field of education.
