Lack of Classrooms: For 8 Years, SDN Students Study Under a Tree
Students at the State Elementary School (SDN) Tando in Robo Village, Welak District, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), are forced to carry out teaching and learning activities (KBM) under a tree due to limited class groups or classrooms. The location is reachable by about 1.5 hours of land travel from Labuan Bajo. The moment of students learning under the tree went viral on social media.
The condition of students conducting KBM under the tree has been ongoing for around eight years. Currently, classes 2 and 3 take turns conducting KBM under the tree.
“It has been a long time, since 2018,” said the Head of SDN Tando, Fransiskus Jenala, on Saturday (11/4/2026).
Class 2 at the school has 15 pupils, and there are 10 pupils for class 3. The video that went viral on social media was of class 3’s KBM.
Fransiskus explained that the SDN Tando building has three permanent rooms built in 2018, and one non-permanent room. The non-permanent classroom was built independently by parents in 2016.
The condition of the non-permanent classroom is concerning. Measuring 5x6 metres, the classroom has a dirt floor. The walls and roof use corrugated iron.
The dilapidated classroom is used by students in classes 2 and 3. There is no partition separating them. During the rainy season, KBM for students in classes 2 and 3 is conducted together in the cramped classroom. The seating for classes 2 and 3 is only separated by an aisle.
When the weather is clear, as it is now, students from one of the classes occupying the non-permanent room conduct KBM under the tree. This is done alternately by classes 2 and 3. The policy was made so that KBM for students from two classes in one room without partitions does not disturb each other.
“Those under the tree are students from one room built independently by parents; we use it for classes 2 and 3. The one that went viral yesterday was class 3 children because the room inside was filled with class 3,” explained Fransiskus.
“If class 3 KBM (inside the class), class 2 outside (KBM under the tree). If class 2 KBM inside, then class 3 outside,” he continued.
During the rainy season, he said, students from both classes conduct KBM in the same classroom. To avoid disturbing each other, one class conducts KBM while the other does assignments.
“If it’s rainy season, we bring them inside the class, give assignments to the other. For example, if class 2 is doing KBM, then class 3 gets assignments. There’s an aisle separating classes 2 and 3, no partition,” explained Fransiskus.
There are 173 students at SDN Tando, from classes 1 to 6. There are eight teaching staff.
The three permanent buildings of SDN Tando are used for the principal’s room, teachers, and students. Each room is partitioned into two spaces. One room is partitioned for the principal and teachers’ room. One room is partitioned for classroom space for class 4 and 5 students. Another room is partitioned for other class students.