If a set of recommendations on child rights is sent to the government through the 'Child Parliament' two months before the next budget, the government will consider the proposals, he said, taking a question from Laboni Siddique, a child parliament member from Tangail.

Saifur spoke as the chief guest in the mock parliament's budget session on 'Child Budget Discussion 2004 - Protection, Health, Education and Entertainment' at Cirdap organised by Save the Children, Australia and financed by Plan Bangladesh.

The children's parliament, attended by its Speaker Zahidul Hasan, deputy speakers Shafiqul Islam and Zannatul Ferdous Tumpa and 87 members from 31 NGOs, observed that a UN charter clause gave children the rights to express opinions on child rights, but they could not engage in budget discussions.

In the question time, Saifur explained different initiatives proposed in the budget and future steps relating to child rights.

"In the near future, secondary students will get free books like the primary students," he declared.

On a question why a teacher of social science teaches grammar, the minister said, "I also ask the same question to the education minister."

He, however, said apart from recruiting teachers the government was also giving them training.

The 'Child Parliament' members informed the finance minister about the education for brothel children, health services, entertainment purposes, non-implementation of child budget and the poor state of schools.

After the question time, Saifur said the children got a chance to express their views in a democratic way.