ALKHOBAR, 10 June 2003 — A state-of-the art computer system awaits students at the Alkhobar Asian International School (AAIS), formerly known as the Al-Andalus International School, school officials said yesterday.

Dr. Ed Malagapo, chief executive officer and principal of AAIS, said the school has also hired highly qualified teachers directly from the Philippines to beef up its teaching staff.

Malapago said the new computer system and robust teaching staff are just a few of the many improvements made by the school to meet its goal to provide quality education for Filipino schoolchildren in the Eastern Region.

“Massive renovation of school facilities have been undertaken during the past two months,” he said in a statement.

To enable students to avail themselves of the computer facilities, the school has installed 50 PC units with advanced software and Internet connections.

He said the direct hiring of teachers from the Philippines were made possible by the Saudi Ministry of Education, which issued new visas for the school.

AAIS currently has 18 big classrooms that can accommodate 35 students.

But Malagapo said these classrooms will be limited to 20 students at a time time. The school also has 13 rooms for offices, a mini theater, and a science and a laboratory.

Malapago said the renovation work included the tiling of all classrooms, hallways, function room, and installation of new bathrooms for boys and girls.

The school also boasts of “excellent” lighting/AC ventilation that suits students needs especially during summertime, he said.

For safety purposes, the school building is also equipped with an upgraded firefighting and alarm systems.

The other additions include two big and mini buses, a concrete basketball court, a concrete playground, and a renovated school canteen.

Sponsored by Prince ibn Abdullah ibn Saud Al Kabeer and supervised by his wife, Princess Mishal ibn Al-Saud, AAIS got a new name as directed by the MOE and the Chamber of Commerce because there is another school in Riyadh called Al-Andalus International School.

AAIS is one of several schools in the Kingdom which have permission to teach the Philippine educational curriculum.