Pupils of Radzambo High School in Matsila village are forced to use the bushes when they want to relieve themselves.

The ablution block at the school is dilapidated and when Limpopo Mirror recently visited the school, the pupils said it was not safe to use.

“All we need is an ablution block and classes to accommodate our children,” said the chairperson of the school governing body (SGB), Mr Elvis Ndlovu. "We have applied many times to the department for toilets and classes, but our pleas have not yielded any fruits.” Ndlovu said that mobile toilets and classrooms could alleviate the situation as the lack of toilets is a matter that requires urgent attention. “Either that or else government must build toilets for our children.”

During the rainy season, the toilets are flooded and the cracked walls can fall over at any time, the pupils said.

A DA councillor, Mr Itani Sikwari, said it was shocking and disappointing that after 19 years of democracy, children were still attending classes under a tree. “We called upon the Department of Education for an urgent intervention and to build toilets and classrooms for Radzambo School. A nation that does not invest in the education of its children is a dying nation,” he added.

The principal of the school, Ms Fhulufhelo Madzivhandila, did not want to speak to the press. The spokesperson for the Department of Education, Mr Phuthi Seloba, said that there was a huge backlog. Many schools around the province were without proper toilets and classes, he said. He added that they had already submitted a report to the relevant department and that they were still waiting for a response.