“We gathered because the relocation of our school to Chon-Aryk is being discussed. We unanimously concluded that the institution should remain in its place,” comments Esen Booronbaev, the grandfather of two students.
Expectations for Updates and Relocation Plans
There are only two schools for blind children in Kyrgyzstan, located in Bishkek and Osh. The Bishkek boarding school, which opened its doors in 1939, is in need of modernization. Currently, more than 200 children are studying at the institution, most of whom live there permanently.In September of this year, a group of officials led by the Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliev visited the school, and after inspecting the building, ordered the commencement of construction for a new boarding school.
“After that, rumors emerged that the new school would be located in Chon-Aryk. No one is denying these rumors, and the director is not answering our questions. She is also a subordinate. We hope that our opinion will be taken into account by the government,” the parents note.
“These are the most vulnerable children.” Parents are asking not to relocate the boarding school for the blind from Bishkek.
Reasons for Parents' Protests
Many families are dissatisfied that the issue of transportation has not been adequately addressed.“To get here from different neighborhoods, it takes us one or two hours depending on traffic. For parents from Kara-Balta, it is now easier and cheaper to travel by train. How are we all supposed to get to Chon-Aryk?” asks Nuriya Kurmanalieva, one of the mothers.
According to the parents, many families have moved to this area from other cities and districts of Bishkek to be closer to the school.
“Some parents bought apartments in advance when their children were still in kindergarten so that they could enroll in this school. We do not have the same choices as parents of healthy children,” adds Kurmanalieva.
People have adapted their lives to this place. What are they supposed to do now? Look for housing again, but already in Vorontsovka?
“These are the most vulnerable children.” Parents are asking not to relocate the boarding school for the blind from Bishkek.
Meirim Abdurakhmanova, who has five children, one of whom has visual impairments, shared that she sold her house and bought an apartment closer to the school for his education.
“We moved here when our son became blind. We live here with five children in a three-room apartment so that he can receive an education. If the school is relocated, I will have to sell my housing again and look for a new one in another area, which is a big problem. We want the school to stay here,” she says.
Families have not only moved from Bishkek.
“After losing my son, I became the guardian of my grandson, who is also blind. We sold our house in Jalal-Abad and moved to Bishkek for his education. Despite his condition, we hoped for better prospects,” shares Datkayim Sadykova.
Datkayim Sadykova, grandmother and guardian of one of the students at the boarding school.
Elmira Seyitbekova shared that her daughter was born prematurely and now has vision problems.
“We moved from Russia, where she also attended a kindergarten for the visually impaired. She was born in the sixth month of pregnancy and weighed only 900 grams. One eye sees, the other does not. There is only one such school in Bishkek and another in Osh. We have no other options,” she emphasizes.
Parents insist on the necessity of constructing a new building on the current site.
“These are the most vulnerable children, undergoing the heaviest trials. The school should not be relocated. We appeal to the government to build a new building in the same place for the future of the children,” says Datkayim Sadykova.
