It is not easy to believe that children are still learning under trees in modern day Botswana especially with its acknowledged economic success. Classroom accommodation is central to learning. It reduces the impact of the external environment - weather and events in the community - on learning, and facilitates the organisation and effective use of learning tools such as chalkboards, teaching aids and furniture. Through aggressive construction of new schools and additional classrooms, Botswana reduced its classroom shortage from 2,021 in 1994 to only 187 in 2003.
The shortage of classrooms has a regional dimension however. For instance, Ngamiland North and Ngamiland South had classroom shortages of 37.8 percent and 29.5 percent in 2003. Under its harsh weather conditions, many learners are still expected to endure and persevere under the shades in the absence of proper buildings. It is still surprising that the government does not have any alternative to address the situation. Perhaps a presidential appeal for classrooms needs to be added to the one on housing.
