The Children’s Parliament in Katsina, comprising 34 members, has called on the government to provide funds for school feeding in the 2026 budget planning.

The parliament made the call on Thursday in Katsina during a budgetary engagement with stakeholders aimed at strengthening children’s participation in governance.

The demand was presented on behalf of the other members by the speaker of the parliament, Fadila Sani, emphasizing that it would increase school enrollment.

The other issues raised by the parliament include the provision of school buses, a potable water supply, electricity, and security in public schools.

The meeting followed a directive by Deputy Governor Faruq Lawal-Jobe, who was the acting governor at the time, when the parliament paid him a courtesy visit.

The speaker decried the lack of inclusion of children in decision-making, particularly in areas such as children’s participation in governance, protection, survival, and education.

“As you are all aware, we, the children, form the largest part of the population, yet our voices are sometimes left out in certain decisions that have to do with us. Today marks a very significant achievement in our lives because we are given a space not only to speak but to decide on what matters to us,” she said.

Tijjani Umar, the director of social protection at the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, said that the Katsina government was passionate about child development and was ready to include them in the 2026 budget preparation.

He noted that Governor Dikko Radda was concerned with child development, emphasising that the 2026 budget should include a harmonised budget proposal for children.

Mr Umar said, “As we in the ministry of budget prepare for the 2026 budget planning, the Children’s Parliament in the state will be a priority. This is necessary because the government is passionate about child development. We will collect all the harmonised issues raised by the Children’s Parliament for inclusion.”

Earlier, Jamila Abdu-Mani, the special adviser to the governor on the Department of Girl Child Education and Child Development, stated that the engagement was a clear commitment by Mr Radda to build a society where the voices of children were not only heard but also placed at the heart of decision-making.

She told the children that their concerns, ideas, and aspirations were vital in shaping policies that affected their education, protection, and overall development.

(NAN)