German school moves to BSD

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)