Why schools should introduce animal welfare education early

(From left) Pradnya Hattiangadi’s weimaraner Roohi interacts with students; collegians in Sion help collar a stray dog

Nobody is born with hate or apathy towards animals in their heart. Children learn it from those around them," says animal activist Akshay Ridlan. Is it possible, then, to act quicker and teach them compassion at the right time? France seems to have taken a timely step in the direction, by making pet care and animal welfare mandatory topics in school curriculum. While no major education board in India mandates such lessons, a handful of schools are going the extra mile.

Ridlan is gearing to address 600 students of the Guru Nanak Higher Secondary School and Junior College in Sion's GTB Nagar on Friday. "Children are subjected to immense stress at a very young age in today's competitive world. This paves the way for emotions like frustration, hate, and indifference to seep in as they grow up," Ridlan reveals.

Begin with sensitivity

At the session, the Sion resident will present a 20-point presentation on how to be a better companion to the city's strays. It includes a practical guide on how to treat an injured animal, the dos and don'ts of handling strays, and the case for adoption against shopping. At the heart of it is emotion, Ridlan says. Can it be taught? "No doubt. You could introduce animals as friends that need a helping hand to survive in the city. Unfortunately, many parents do the opposite, and portray animals as intruders," he says.

Pradnya Hattiangadi. PICS COURTESY/PRADNYA HATTIANGADI, Pawfriend, Akshay Ridlan

Madhavi Naik, principal of the Higher Secondary School, seconds Ridlan. "Although such sessions are conducted only once or twice a year, we've seen visible change. Recently, a stray dog entered our campus, and all our students and staff joined hands to provide care, find a rescuer, and eventually hand over the animal," she recalls. Naik believes that while children learn about animals in textbooks every year, they're seldom taught about co-existing with them.

Right place, right time

City-based dog trainer Pradnya Hattiangadi has been making similar annual visits to schools in and around Mumbai. She stresses on the importance of finding the right animal in cases of hands-on sessions. "Our dogs are specially trained to remain calm, and not make sudden movements that might scare children. This allows us to teach children how to approach a dog, build trust, and interact safely with animals," she says.

Akshay Ridlan

However, the world outside might not be only harmless trained pets. "While defending yourself against an aggressive stray is a skill we teach older students, the younger pre-schoolers need a slightly cheerier approach. The first introduction to an animal can influence how students feel about animals as they grow up," the trainer points out, adding that she would love to see children as young as five being taught about animal care.

Textbook solution

The experts agree that changing the Indian school curriculum is a Herculean task, involving appeals, letters and long waiting periods. In the meantime, they urge Mumbai schools and colleges to turn to local NGOs, rescue groups, and shelters to collaborate on extracurricular lectures and sessions. "I still get calls from students reporting or requesting rescues. "Sometimes I forget I ever spoke to a certain student, but they always remember every little lesson," he signs off.

Log on to: pawfriend.in and @akshay_riddlan on Instagram (Akshay Ridlan); @prady58 on Instagram (Pradnya Hattiangadi)

Lessons from France

The newly introduced daily lessons in the school curriculum in France will focus on key skills including
£Feeding
£Hygiene
£Emotional wellbeing
£Safe interactions
£Empathy