“The parents' meeting is related to plans to move our school to Chon-Aryk. We have come to a unanimous decision - to keep the school in its current location,” emphasizes Esen Booronbaev, the grandfather of two students.
An Unexpected Update and Plans for Relocation
There are only two schools for blind children in Kyrgyzstan - in Bishkek and Osh. The Bishkek boarding school, which has been operating since 1939, is in need of renovation. Currently, more than 200 children from across the country are studying here, most of whom live in the boarding school.In September, high-ranking officials, led by the Chairman of the Cabinet Adylbek Kasymaliev, visited the school. After inspecting the old building, he instructed to begin preparations for the construction of a new, modern boarding school.
“Then rumors appeared that the new school would be built in Chon-Aryk. We do not hear any denials from the management, and the director does not answer our questions. She is also dependent on government decisions, and we want to be heard,” the parents note.
“These are the most vulnerable children.” Parents are asking not to relocate the boarding school for the blind from Bishkek.
Parents' Arguments Against Relocation
Many families are dissatisfied with the lack of thoughtful logistics.“We spend one to two hours on the road from the neighborhoods, navigating through traffic jams. 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 or Vorontsovka?” asks Nuriya Kurmanalieva, one of the mothers.
According to the parents, many of them moved to this area from various regions and parts of Bishkek to be closer to the school.
“Some parents bought apartments in this area even before their children entered kindergarten, so they could later send them to 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 now in Chon-Aryk or Vorontsovka?
“These are the most vulnerable children.” Parents are asking not to relocate the boarding school for the blind from Bishkek.
Meerim Abdurakhmanova is raising five children, one of whom is blind. For him, she sold her house in the private sector and bought an apartment closer to the school.
“We moved here when my son lost his sight. We live in a three-room apartment with five children to provide him with an education. If the school is moved, I will have to sell my home again and look for a new one in another area, which is extremely difficult. We want the school to remain in its place,” she says.
Not only locals have moved to the area of the boarding school.
“After my son passed away, I became the guardian of my grandson, who is blind. We sold our house in Jalal-Abad and moved to Bishkek for his education. He already has difficulties with his vision, and we hoped for better prospects,” shares Datkayim Sadykova.
Datkayim Sadykova, grandmother and guardian of one of the students of the boarding school.
Elmyra Seyitbekova's daughter was born prematurely and has vision problems.
“We moved from Russia, where she also attended a kindergarten for the visually impaired. She was born at six months with a weight of 900 grams. One eye has vision, the other does not. There is only one school for blind children in Bishkek and one in Osh. We cannot go anywhere else,” she says.
Parents are asking to build a new building on the current territory.
“These are the most vulnerable children who face severe trials. Their school should not be moved. We urge the government to build a new building in the same place for the sake of the children's future,” Datkayim Sadykova addresses the authorities.
