T

he Denpasar legislative council has rejected the city administration’s plan to relocate a school for disabled children, formerly located in Lumintang, to a new site in Kesiman village.

The decision was made following strong oppositions by residents from Kesiman village. The residents said the site would be too dangerous for children with physical disabilities.

Ketut Suwandi, deputy chairman of the Denpasar legislative council, said the decision had voiced the aspiration of the local residents. “We will propose that the site be developed as an open city green area,” Suwandi said.

Led by their village chief, IB Bima Putra, hundreds of Kesiman residents marched to the council’s building carrying a large banner reading “We refuse the relocation of the school, not because we don’t love disabled children”.

Bima Putra said that the proposed site in the village, which was formerly the Bali Text factory, was covered in grass and other plants. The villagers said the land was too steep for children with disabilities.

“It’s a high piece of land located near the river, which has a deep ravine, which is unsuitable for a school building, especially for students with special needs,” he said.

Previously, the Denpasar administration had proposed that the school for disabled children be relocated from Jl. Ahmad Yani near Lumintang Park in Central Denpasar, citing that the school building was in a dilapidated condition and was located in an area known for illegal commercial sex trade and slum areas.

Established in 1969, the 1,700 square-meter school was aimed at providing quality education facilities for students with mental disabilities (possessing IQs between 40 and 80).

The school, which has nine classrooms, has accepted students from elementary, junior and senior high school levels. School deputy principal Daldiri said that ideally SLB C should have at least 24 classrooms.

“One teacher should ideally educate five students. The reality is really far from this minimum requirement,” Daldiri said, adding that there were 31 teachers and 160 students at the school.

Parents and teachers have frequently urged the authorities to find a better location for the school.

Representing Governor Made Mangku Pastika, Bagus Anom said the province was ready to allocate Rp 35 billion (US$4.09 million) to finance the relocation.

“We still want to continue our search for a proper location for the school. There are a number of schools for disabled students including those in Jimbaran and Lumintang,” he said.