The budget for sports and youth activities has allocated a total of 10.000 euros for grants for 2026, of which 5.750 euros are for youth activities and 4.250 euros are for sports activities.

Grants can be applied for until 15 February 2026. Applications will be processed by the leisure instructor, the office secretary of the cultural services and the director of welfare on Monday 16 February 2026. The allocation criteria for grants for sports and youth services approved by the Cultural Affairs Board (08.12.1999, 26 §) will be used in the allocation of grants.

The grant allocation for cultural activities is 1.700 euros for 2026.

Grants can be applied for until 15 February 2026. Applications will be processed by the leisure instructor, the office secretary of the cultural services and the director of welfare on Monday 16 February 2026. The allocation criteria for grants for sports and youth services approved by the Cultural Affairs Board (08.12.1999, 26 §) will be used in the allocation of grants.

The board must prepare a report on its activities for each calendar year. Appendix No. 1 is the activity report of the Education and Welfare Board for 2025.

Agenda attachments:

The Board of Education's Annual Report 2025, Appendix 1.

Meals provided in early childhood education and basic education must support the health, growth and well-being of children and pupils. Special diets are provided for health and religious reasons. The demand for special diets has increased in recent years, which is why there is a need to make clear and consistent guidelines.

The safe implementation of special diets requires that their need be based on an appropriate assessment. Special diets arranged for health reasons require a certificate or written recommendation from a doctor.

The guardian is obliged to provide a valid certificate to the early childhood education or school stating that the child or student has a special dietary need. If the certificate is not provided, a meal according to the menu will be provided.

Vegetarian diets and diets based on religious reasons can be arranged based on the guardian's written notification, if they can be implemented by the food services.

A written notification of a special diet is made, and the guardian must notify the child of any changes immediately.

The goal is to ensure safe eating for children and students, consistent practices, and smooth operation of food services.

The Education and Wellbeing Board has proposed an amendment to the Administrative Rule in its meeting 1/2026, Section 11. The proposal stated that as part of the review of the Wellbeing Director's duties, a need to balance the Wellbeing Director's workload has been identified. The Wellbeing Director has previously made decisions on special support.

The change has been discussed with the principal at the management group meeting on January 13, 2026, and the principal has agreed to change the authority so that in the future the principal will make student-specific support administrative decisions, which are determined in Section 20 c of the Basic Education Act.

The municipal government is returned the matter to be prepared at its meeting 2/2026 § 24. The municipal government has requested a report on possible disqualifications regarding the authority of the principal acting as a decision-maker.

The matter has been clarified with the National Board of Education's lawyer, who states that the principal is not prevented from making support decisions, even if he or she is part of the student welfare working group, and the legislation does not otherwise place restrictions on the principal being given decision-making power over administrative decisions on student-specific support, even if he or she is a member of the group in question.

The City of Parkano has prepared an inter-municipal agreement on organizing the Youth Start guidance service. The aim of the service is to support young people who need guidance in issues related to education, working life or everyday life management.

The Youth Start guidance service offers low-threshold guidance and support to young people and promotes young people's paths to education and employment. The service aims to prevent young people's exclusion and strengthen their inclusion.

The service is implemented as a cooperation between municipalities, with the City of Parkano responsible for organizing the service and the Municipality of Kihniö contributing to the costs of the service in accordance with the agreement. The agreement defines the content of the service, implementation, distribution of costs and the principles of cooperation.

The draft agreement between the City of Parkano and the Municipality of Kihniö on the Youth Start guidance service is attached to the agenda.

• Let's arrange the next meeting.

• Representation of the Parents' Association in the Children and Family Affairs Division

• Visits and cooperation