PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - Amidst the rapid development of the central area of Bandung City, stands a building that is more than a century old which still carries out its main function as a place to gain knowledge.

The building is SD Negeri 001 Merdeka which is known as the oldest elementary school in Bandung City, with a history that began in 1884.

The historic building, located on Jalan Merdeka, retains its original architectural form. Only a few features, such as the roof tiles, ceiling, and paint, have been updated as part of routine maintenance.

Meanwhile, the building structure, doors, windows, and most of the wooden materials are maintained as they were when it was first built.

Public Relations of SDN 001 Merdeka, Firman Mauluddin explained, based on historical literature owned by the school, the building was built in 1884 during the Dutch East Indies era.

At that time, the building was used as a learning space for Dutch children in the mornings, while in the afternoons it was used by indigenous children from the gentry class.

"According to written history, the building that is now SD Negeri 001 Merdeka was built in 1884. It is said that it was used as a school for Dutch children, while in the afternoon it was used by native children from the priyayi class," said Firman when met at SDN 001 Merdeka, Tuesday (30/6/2026).

He said the main building, a cultural heritage site, has five classrooms, each measuring approximately 64 square meters. All rooms are designed with very high ceilings, reaching approximately four to five meters, ensuring cool air circulation even without modern cooling technology.

According to Firman, the excellence of Dutch heritage buildings is not only evident in their size, but also in the quality of the materials used. Nearly all the frames, doors, and building frames are made of genuine teak wood, which remains sturdy and free from termite damage.

"Dutch buildings have tall doors, all made of teak wood, and this one is still original. It's not affected by termites. If it were replaced, it would definitely look like a different type of wood," he said.

As educational needs evolved, the building's function underwent adjustments. Of the five classrooms previously used entirely for teaching and learning, some have now been converted into the principal's office, administration room, teachers' lounge, and meeting room. Only one room remains in use as a classroom in the original building.

Firman explained that before the school merger in 2017, this complex was home to six elementary schools, namely SDN Merdeka 005 1 to 6. After the school merger policy during the term of Bandung Mayor Ridwan Kamil, all of them were merged into SD Negeri 001 Merdeka.

Currently, the school stands on an area of approximately 3,500 square meters with a total of 36 classrooms, most of which are new buildings built by the government and with community support.

However, the main building, a legacy of 1884, is still maintained as an identity and historical heritage of education in the city of Bandung.

In one of the historic classrooms, the school still houses the original chalkboard once used for writing with chalk. The folding chalkboard is no longer used, having been covered with a whiteboard to protect students from chalk dust. Furthermore, an old school bell is still preserved and occasionally used on special occasions.

Firman revealed that the building has never undergone major renovations. Repairs so far have been limited to replacing decaying roof tiles, painting, and minor maintenance as needed. This was done because the building's status as a cultural heritage site prohibits changes to the original structure.

"According to the literature I've read, this building has never been extensively restored or renovated. All that's been done is replacing the roof tiles because many of them have rotted. The building's structure remains the same, as it's not allowed to be changed," he explained.

To maintain the sustainability of the building, the school relies on the available maintenance budget and routine maintenance by school staff.

"We hope there will be a dedicated budget for maintaining heritage buildings, not just through the School Operations Assistance (BOS) funds. This building is part of Bandung City's educational history, so it requires special attention to ensure its preservation," he said.

Furthermore, the school hopes that the new student admissions policy will provide flexibility for SDN 001 Merdeka. According to Firman, the school's location in an office complex, hotel district, and downtown area means the surrounding population is relatively small, impacting the number of prospective students.

"We hope there will be a special policy to expand the student enrollment reach. This way, SD Negeri 001 Merdeka's existence as the oldest elementary school in Bandung City will be maintained and it will continue to be an important part of the history and future of education in Bandung City," he said.

(Bandung City Communications and Information Service/rka)