Esen Booronbaev, the grandfather of two students, noted: "We gathered here because we learned about the plans to move our school. We all agree that it should remain in its current location."
Promises of modernization and plans for relocation
There are only two schools for blind children in Kyrgyzstan — one in Bishkek and another in Osh. The Bishkek boarding school, which has been operating since 1939, requires updating. Currently, more than 200 children study here, many of whom live in the institution permanently.In September of this year, high-ranking officials, led by Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliev, visited the school. After inspecting the old building, instructions were given to begin preparations for the construction of a new boarding school.
However, rumors soon emerged that the new building would be located in Chon-Aryk. "No one has denied these rumors, and the director does not respond to our questions. We understand that she is also dependent on government decisions, and we hope that we will be heard," say the parents.
"These are the most vulnerable children." Parents ask not to relocate the boarding school for the blind from Bishkek.
Reasons for parents' dissatisfaction
Most parents are concerned about the lack of thoughtful logistical solutions.Nuriya Kurmanalieva, one of the mothers, shares: "We spend one to two hours getting to school from the microdistricts. For parents from Kara-Balta, it is now easier and cheaper to travel by train. But how will we all get to Chon-Aryk?"
Many parents moved to this area from other regions and parts of Bishkek to be closer to the school.
Kurmanalieva adds: "Some families bought apartments here when their children were still in kindergarten, hoping they would later enroll in this school. We do not have the same choices as parents of healthy children."
People have adapted their lives to this place. What are they supposed to do now? Look for housing again, but now in Vorontsovka?
"These are the most vulnerable children." Parents ask not to relocate the boarding school for the blind from Bishkek.
Meerim Abdurakhmanova, a mother of five children, one of whom is blind, shared that she sold her house in the private sector and bought an apartment closer to the boarding school for her son.
"We moved here when our son lost his sight. We live in a three-room apartment with five children so that he can receive an education. If the school is moved, I will have to sell our home again and look for a new one in another area. Naturally, we want this school to stay in place," she says.
Not only residents of Bishkek have moved to the area of the boarding school.
Datkayim Sadykova, who became the guardian of her grandson after her son's death, reported: "My grandson is blind in both eyes. We sold our house in Jalal-Abad for his education in Bishkek. He has already lost his sight, and we wanted him to have more opportunities."
Datkayim Sadykova, grandmother and guardian of one of the students of the boarding school.
Elmira Seyitbekova, whose daughter was born prematurely and suffers from vision problems, added: "We came from Russia, where my daughter also attended a kindergarten for the visually impaired. She was born at six months and weighed 900 grams. One of her eyes can see, but the other cannot. There is only one school for the blind in Bishkek and another in Osh. We have nowhere else to go."
Parents insist on the construction of a new building on the current territory of the school.
"These are the most vulnerable children. These are children who face the greatest difficulties. It is essential to keep their school in place. We appeal to the government to build a new school here, in the city center, for the future of our children," emphasizes Datkayim Sadykova.
