For three years pupils at Sikhulisile Primary School in Block F in Ekangala have battled the elements. Their makeshift school offers no protection from cold winter mornings, rainy days and excessive heat.

For three years pupils at Sikhulisile Primary School in Block F in Ekangala have battled the elements. Their makeshift school offers no protection from cold winter mornings, rainy days and excessive heat.

The overcrowded shack school is also a serious health hazard. This forces children to stay away due to illness.

Sikhulisile is just one of many schools around the country that makes learning unbearable. In provinces like Limpopo, children are still being taught under trees. This cannot continue almost 13 years after the promises of a better life were made.

While it is easy to blame the government for poor service delivery, communities should shoulder part of the blame.

They have to put pressure on the authorities to ensure proper schools are built and maintained for their children's future.

The government alone cannot tackle the backlog - houses, schools, hospitals and other amenities - but active communities stand a better chance when they stand up and speak with one voice. Better still, they could get their hands dirty and start building the schools themselves, with help from the government and the private sector, of course.