CBSE may add animal welfare to curriculum

CHENNAI: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) may consider adding animal welfare as a separate subject to the school curriculum. In a letter sent to People for Cattle in India (PFCI), an animal welfare organisation based in Chennai, CBSE joint director Al Hilal Ahmed said if the forthcoming new policy on education recommends it, the board would make the necessary changes.

In September 2005, PFCI had written to CBSE, ICSE and state boards, requesting them to add animal welfare as a subject in curriculum of schools in Tamil Nadu. “In the three years since we have been working in the field, we have seen a lot of cruelty to animals as well as abuse,” said PFCI founder Arun Prasanna. “So we thought reaching out to young children is the best way to sensitise society.”

In its letter, PFCI said animal welfare education at the school level will be a useful tool towards sensitising young minds on kindness and compassion towards animals. It will also promote knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes and values related to human involvement in the lives of animals.