We Need More of This: A School Program That Teaches Kindness Towards Animals!

Schools in Goa will now have a programme called 'Compassionate Citizen' which will teach students to be kind towards animals. The programme is available free of cost for all schools and is already being used by 1.4 million children in more than 7,000 private and government schools across India.

By Shreya Pareek

September 4, 2015

Schools in Goa will now have a programme called ‘Compassionate Citizen’ which will teach students to be kind towards animals. The programme is available free of cost for all schools and is already being used by 1.4 million children in more than 7,000 private and government schools across India.

We have seen and heard about many off beat courses being taught to students all over the country. But a recent step in Goa truly takes the cake when it comes to successfully introducing a much needed subject in the school curriculum.

The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has asked Goa schools to introduce a course called ‘Compassionate Citizen’ that will teach kids to be kind to animals.

A common brochure to spread awareness among students and to fight against cruelty of animals has been issued by People for Ethical Treatment Towards Animals (PETA). And SCERT Director N C Honnikeri has rolled out a circular notifying all government/government-aided, middle and high schools in the state to follow that brochure.

Thus, the programme has been distributed to all government schools in Goa for children aged 8 to 12.

“After completing the programme, students will have gained a richer understanding of animals and developed a sense of how to treat them as fellow beings who deserve compassion and respect.” said the Compassionate Citizen page.

Students will use their reasoning and writing skills to understand the lives of animals and how they can develop a better relationship with them. They will also be taught about the ways in which they should respond when animals are in trouble.

The programme, which has been endorsed by the Animal Welfare Board of India and the Central Board of Secondary Education, is PETA India’s version of PETA US’ internationally recognised humane-education programme called ‘Share the World’. It is also designed to generate compassion towards animals by teaching students about it.

Apart from Goa, other states including Andhra Pradesh, Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand, are also endorsing the project.

The programme is available free of cost and is already being used by 1.4 million children in more than 7,000 private and government schools throughout India.

This positive step has been applauded by various prominent personalities as well.

“There is no better approach to teaching children the value of human life than instilling in them an appreciation for all life. If you can teach a child to respect and protect the smallest and most maligned among us – as PETA’s humane-education programme does – you create a better citizen,” said Anupam Kher, actor.

When it comes to spreading more awareness and compassion towards animals, what can be better than reaching out to young minds?

Photo: Friendicoes

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