Parents reject special needs school move

JIMBARAN: Numerous parents whose kids were enrolled at SLB B school for children with special needs lodged strong protest against the school's management and the Bali provincial administration over their plans to relocate the school to a former textile factory in Tohpati area near Denpasar.

Abu Sufyan, who represented the parents, said they had filed complaints to the Minister of National Education, to the National Commission for Child's Protection and the Bali provincial administration.

The school stands on a five-hectare plot of land in the middle of the island's tourism center of Jimbaran, Kuta and Nusa Dua luxury resorts.

The school has 208 students with special needs including autistic children, mute, deaf, and mentally retarded children coming from and around Bali. The parent said they received a report saying the Bali administration would transform the site of the school into tourism-related facilities.

"The government has just given us a clue that they care more about money than improving education, especially for children with special needs," added Edwin, another parent. - JP