Humane Education
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” Children trained to extend justice, kindness and mercy to animals become more just, kind and considerate in their relations with each other. Character training along these lines will result in men and women of broader sympathies, more humane, more law-abiding and in every respect more valuable citizens.’’
(1933 National P.T.A. Congress USA)
Animal Welfare in Schools
The common perception that animals are lesser beings created for man’s use and exploitation is largely responsible for the current state of affairs in animal welfare where humans continually show cruelty to animals. This is in spite of the many benefits they derive from these very animals including food, clothing, tourism activity, transportation, companionship, and labour.
Humane Education in Schools
Animal welfarists are of the view that humane education could hold the key to better treatment of animals (wildlife and domestic animals) and thus bring to an end the ill-treatment of animals.
Humane Education is basically “a process that encourages an understanding of the need for compassion and respect for people, animals and the environment and recognizes the interdependence of all living things.”
By practicing compassion and empathy, to humans and non-humans alike, people learn how their choices affect others and the world around them; they learn about the power of their actions and how to use that power responsibly; they learn to be active, problem-solving members of society; they learn we are all connected in one way or the other.
Humane education enables people to gain insight into their community’s and world issues. They develop a strong moral fiber and the ability to make ethical decisions. With these skills, they become individuals who are willing and able to solve personal, career and social problems ethically and conscientiously.
Humane education could also boost a better understanding of the five animal freedoms:
This could be done through showing of films, talks, documentaries, brochures, posters among others.
This could perhaps see changes in the way society views animals; not as lesser beings but as sentient unique creations different from man and deserving of care, conservation and humane treatment.
