The appeal concerns plans to relocate the boarding school to the village of Tash-Dobo. Currently, the educational institution is located at: Kulatova Street, 37.
Iskender Sultanaliyev, one of the parents, reported that in December they learned about the possible relocation to the village of Tash-Döbö. There are plans to construct a new building for children with autism, as well as for the deaf and blind.
He emphasized that this decision contradicts international norms and legislation regarding people with disabilities, including the education law that implies inclusive education, and the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic, which prohibits discrimination based on disability.
"The educational institution is located closer to the city center, which is convenient for all children and their parents. The relocation will lead to difficulties in accessing education and social integration. My daughters study at this school, and communication with other children at home is extremely important for them. If the school is moved, it will lead to isolation," Sultanaliyev noted.
Tabokel kyzy Kauhar, another parent, shared that after receiving information about the relocation, they sent letters to the president, heads of the Government, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Construction.
"The responses to our appeals were unsatisfactory. When the head of the Government visited the school on January 22, I expressed the parents' opinion against the relocation. It is very far and will be difficult for children with special needs. On February 3, there was a meeting with the Minister of Education, the Vice Mayor of Bishkek, and the Deputy Minister of Construction, where we again voiced our concerns. The Minister stated that the building would remain in place, but later told journalists that a final decision had not yet been made," Kauhar added.
Sadyrbek Jamankulov from Talas also voiced his position. He has a child studying at this school: "He is in the 2nd grade. I visit him every week. I have five children, and I am against moving the school to the outskirts of the city. I am not alone in this opinion," he said.
Gulzada Mamieva, who herself is a first-group disabled person, noted that she graduated from this boarding school. "Not only blind children study here, but also children with cerebral palsy and autism. This is not just an educational institution, but a safe environment for children. I am a single mother with two children studying at this school. We are against their isolation," she emphasized.
Teacher Bekbolsun Alymbaev, who is also a second-group disabled person, reported that the staff of the boarding school fully supports the parents in their protest against the relocation.
"I believe that our president will make the right decision. There is false information that the school was founded in 1939. In fact, it began functioning near the Dostuk hotel, and in 1957 it was designated as a separate institution for the blind, moving to Kulatova Street. The area of the current school plot is 92 hundredths, not 70, and half of this territory is vacant," he explained.
Alymbaev noted that such institutions should be located in the center. In other countries, such as Russia and the USA, boarding schools are located in urban centers. This is necessary for the socialization of children and teaching them spatial orientation. If the school is moved outside the city, it will be difficult for children to learn the basics of safe movement. "The school should remain in its place, and a new building can be constructed nearby," he suggested.
"You cannot combine schools for the blind and deaf, as they have different specifications. In 1957, a decision was made to separate such schools. If they are combined, it violates the rights of students and parents," the teacher added.
Elvira Orozalieva, another teacher, reported that there are 220 children studying at the boarding school, of which 176 are studying under the general education program, and 44 in correctional classes. "The information that 14 children live in one room is not true. We have rooms for 8-9 places and even for 4-5," she clarified.
Some parents also shared that they moved or rent housing in the area of the boarding school specifically so that their children could study there.
The gathered parents and staff of the school are asking the president and the head of the State National Security Committee to pay attention to this issue and help resolve it.
