There was joy at Muvhavha Secondary School in Tswinga village, outside Thohoyandou, on Wednesday, 23 April, when the Limpopo Department of Education handed over five mobile classrooms.

Until recently, Grade 10, 11 and 12 learners at the rural school attended maths and science classes under trees because of a severe lack of infrastructure. Limpopo Mirror reported on the situation during a visit in February.

Ms Pfarelo Tshivhulunge, a member of the school-governing body (SGB), said the situation had improved since the temporary classrooms had been delivered. “We have received five mobile classrooms for Grades 10, 11 and 12 learners doing maths, physical science and tourism. Previously, they were learning under trees. We have also recruited five new educators, but we still need infrastructure like an administration block, a principal’s office and ablution facilities,” she said.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo has written to Education MEC Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya, calling for further intervention. DA Limpopo education spokesperson Jacques Smalle said Muvhavha Secondary, which accommodates more than 600 learners, faced overcrowding, poor infrastructure and a shortage of teachers, with only 13 teachers instead of the required 17.

School principal Mr Nnditsheni Nempumbuluni welcomed the mobile classrooms, saying they would improve learning conditions. “With the new classrooms, we can now extend morning and afternoon study sessions to Grade 8 to 10 learners. Previously, only Grade 11 and 12 learners were accommodated because of the shortage of space,” he said.