German school moves to BSD
TANGERANG (JP): The Deutsche Internationale Schule (DIS) started operations at its new address in Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD) housing complex here on Monday.
DIS' principal Wolfgang Hinners said the school relocated from its two old locations on Jl. Sam Ratulangi, Central Jakarta, and Jl. Prapanca, South Jakarta, because the sites were no longer conducive to supporting teaching and learning activities.
"The new location was chosen because the area has a much better environment and is free from air pollution," Hinners said, adding that the school will be officially opened on Nov. 21.
The new location was chosen also because of its accessibility via a new toll road currently under construction and other well- planned supporting facilities, he said.
Hinners said the school, which stands on a 4.7-hectare plot, has two swimming pools, a sports hall for basketball, volleyball, handball and gymnastics as well as a soccer field.
He said the new three-story school building, which has 270 students, also has an auditorium and chemistry, physics and biology laboratories.
The construction of the school building and its facilities, which started in October 1996, cost DM 22 million (about US$14.3 million), he said.
Most equipment in the school building, such as chairs, tables and computers, was imported from Germany, he said. "As a German school which is in line with the German education standard, we can't avoid having to use made-in-Germany products," he added.
He said the students, who are taught by 38 teachers, are obliged to learn German, English, French and Indonesian.
Hans L. Schaefer, chairman of the DIS foundation, said the school used to have 330 students but the number had dropped, mainly because of the May riots.
"But in the future we expect more students to study here," Schaefer said, claiming that the school could accommodate 500 students from preschool to senior high school.
He said the school provides buses for students, most of whom live in South Jakarta.
At least 100 expatriate families are living in the nearby housing complex, according to data of the housing complex. (jun)