Learners from Izimwe Primary School in Zambezi were in for a shock on the first day of the school year, as the dilapidated tent in which they were taught was no longer in use, hence a tree awaited them as classroom.

It was not a happy return for these learners in the Bukalo circuit, as the torn tent they have been using for the past few years could not be mended any more.

In February last year, New Era reported on how the region has been dealing with the challenge of crumbling and insufficient infrastructure, a situation that affects teachers and learners.

It was through community support that they were able to build a temporary mud structure to accommodate learners for grades four and five, while grade six learners are being taught in a tent.

According to the school's acting principal, Michael Likando, the situation has worsened, and they are now forced to conduct lessons under a tree.

"The regional office is aware of the problem, but they have done nothing to address it. It is rainy season... learning will be disturbed," stated Likando.

He added the makeshift mud structure is also falling apart, and water flows in when it rains - meaning all three grades are affected.

"They should at least give us a new tent," appealed Likando.

Contacted for comment, regional education director Josty Kawana said he did not receive a request for a new tent from Izimwe.

"If the old tent is torn apart, they just have to come to the office to ask for a new tent. It is not only Izimwe; the issue of the shortage of classrooms is a national crisis. In Zambezi, we have a shortage of about 127 classrooms," stated Kawana before referring all the questions to the circuit inspector, Namasiku Limbo, who was reluctant to comment on the matter.

"There is a procedure to be followed to procure a new tent. Did the school management follow that procedure? Where is the request letter from the school?" questioned Limbo.