Basic education minister Angie Motshekga has committed to fund the education of the visually-impaired and the blind to the tune of about R7.3 million per year.
The funding will go to Pioneer Printers of Worcester, which is the sole production unit in SA specialising in transcribing computer mathematics, science and music braille codes.
The organisation also produces digital audio sound recordings, which are a secondary medium to braille for a blind person who can read braille. It also produces computer braille literature and tactile graphics like mathematics and scientific diagrams, maps, and various sketches.
Schalk Hugo, manager of Pioneer Printers, says one of the greatest barriers visually-impaired people are faced with is gaining direct access to everyday reading matter and written text.
He reveals that the organisation has been battling with its budget because the cost of producing learning material for the blind is expensive.
According to Hugo, running Pioneer needs specialised skills to transcribe and perform other processes to produce learning material for the blind.
“Producing a single copy is very expensive and time-consuming. Without the necessary skills, it is very difficult to produce the material for these students at a budget price without funding.”
He says the funds will help Pioneer Printers acquire expensive technology used in printing the materials for the blind, as well as the skills needed to operate the electronic machines at the facility.
The commitment comes after the appeal of Democratic Alliance shadow minister of basic education Dr Wilmot James in Parliament earlier this month.
Applauding the minister, Wilmot says it is important that such a facility receives support from national government, and is encouraged by the minister's co-operation with the Western Cape Department of Education in this regard.
“Motshekga has indicated that good progress is being made in finalising a proper financial plan with Western Cape education MEC Donald Grant, which will place Pioneer Printers on a solid financial footing,” he says.
He adds that it is important, in addition to developing and producing braille materials for the blind, that these materials are properly distributed so that blind learners are able to benefit from them.
Pioneer Printers is part of the literature production unit of the Pioneer School for the Visually Impaired that provides learning, reading and teaching support material in braille, audio and large print formats to blind and partially sighted persons in SA and neighbouring countries.
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