Children from the Child Rights Advocacy Club in Mashi Local Government Area of Katsina State have expressed concern over worsening climate-related and environmental conditions affecting their safety and education.
The children raised the concerns during an advocacy visit to the Mashi Council Chairman and the District Head of Mashi on Sunday, urging authorities to take urgent action.
The advocacy event was supported by Save the Children International under the Education Cannot Wait (ECW)-funded project.
Speaking on behalf of their peers, the young advocates said they represented many children across their communities facing similar challenges, noting that poor environmental practices and climate change had made schools unsafe and unconducive for learning.
They warned that the deteriorating condition of school environments posed serious risks to their health, safety and overall well-being.
As part of their demands, A’isha Mutaka called for the provision of safe and reliable water sources in schools, particularly during flooding.
The children also appealed for clean, functional toilets with hand-washing facilities to curb open defecation and reduce the spread of diseases.
Halimatu Yusuf urged authorities to improve waste management and rehabilitate drainage systems to prevent blocked waterways and flooding around schools.
Salamatu Mohammed advocated increased tree-planting and stricter enforcement against deforestation to create greener and safer school environments.
In his remarks, Abdulhamid Surajo emphasised the need to strengthen school security through fencing and deployment of guards to protect school property, prevent grazing on school premises and support school gardening initiatives.
He identified some of the most affected schools as Government Pilot Secondary School Majigiri, Afadu Primary School, and Doguru Primary and Secondary Schools.
Responding, the Mashi Council Chairman, Salisu Kallah, represented by his deputy, Jamilu Yusuf, assured that the council would take concrete steps to address the concerns raised.
He pledged to review existing measures banning illegal tree felling and to work towards creating safer and more conducive learning environments.
Also, the District Head of Mashi, Kabir Aminu (Iyan Katsina), called for the establishment of environmental clubs in schools and community-driven initiatives to tackle environmental degradation and promote sustainability.
