Children from the Child Rights Advocacy Club in Mashi Local Government Area of Katsina State have raised serious concerns over worsening climate-related and environmental conditions affecting their safety and education.
The children made their voices known during an advocacy visit to the Mashi Council Chairman and the District Head of Mashi on Sunday, April 19, 2026, calling on authorities to act swiftly.
The event was supported by Save the Children International, through the Education Cannot Wait (ECW) funded project.
The children also warned that the deteriorating state of their school environments poses a direct threat to their health, safety, learning, and overall well-being.
Speaking on behalf of their peers, the young advocates said they were representing countless number of children across their communities who face similar challenges daily.
They highlighted how the combined effects of climate change and poor environmental practices have made schools increasingly unsafe and unconducive for learning.
As part of their advocacy, A’isha Mutaka called for the provision of safe and reliable water sources in schools to safeguard students’ health, especially during flood periods.
They pleaded for clean, safe, and well-maintained toilets with hand-washing facilities to stop open defecation and reduce the spread of disease.
One of the children, Halimatu Yusuf, urged authorities to improve waste management and rehabilitate drainage systems in their communities, aimed at preventing blocked waterways and reducing flooding around schools.
Salamatu Mohammed advocated for aggressive tree-planting campaigns and stricter enforcement against deforestation, and to create green school environments to reduce heat and protect them from climate risks.
Also, Abdulhamid Surajo stressed the need to strengthen school security through fencing and the deployment of guards to protect school property, stop grazing in school compounds, and support school gardens.
He identified some of the most affected schools as Government Pilot Secondary School Majigiri, Afadu Primary School, and Doguru Primary and Secondary Schools.
Responding to the children’s concerns, the Mashi Council Chairman, Salisu Kallah, represented by his deputy, Jamilu Yusuf, assured that the council would take concrete steps to address the issues raised.
He pledged to revisit existing measures banning illegal tree cutting and to work towards creating safer and more conducive learning environments.
The District Head of Mashi, Kabir Aminu, who is also the Iyan Katsina, called for the establishment of school environmental clubs and community initiatives to combat degradation and promote sustainability.
During the visit, the children used artistic expression and drama to show their concern about gender inequality.
By Abbas Bamalli