Promoting Animal Welfare in Schools (PAWS) Programme

Introduction

Since 2013, ANAW has been implementing animal welfare education in primary schools under the model of Promoting Animal Welfare in Schools (PAWS). The approach involves reaching out to children and the school community on animal welfare concepts that are relevant to them through the animal welfare clubs. The clubs are supported by patrons who are teachers in the project schools. The programme also includes, capacity building for patrons through training on humane education.

The aim of the programme is to create a platform for school children across Africa to participate in impactful educational animal welfare activities that will make them more compassionate to animals as well as get involved in preventing cruelty and abuse directed at animals within their communities.

Unintentional cruelty is often passed from one generation to another and this makes humane education vital in our society. A child growing up in a home where animals are ill-treated will likely treat animals ill in future because he or she does not know otherwise. Teaching animal welfare education in schools is one of the best interventions we can offer. It is essential to the development of an attitude of compassion, kindness and respect for all living beings while helping to build a safer and friendlier community.

Objectives

1. To facilitate the establishment of Animal Welfare Clubs in primary schools (Private and Public).
2. To raise awareness by engaging club members in activities aimed at promoting animal welfare in schools and at home.
3. To encourage the development of empathy, compassion, responsibility and positive attitudes towards animals, people and the environment.

Background

The animal welfare clubs, under PAWS programme, were introduced in Kenya in 2013 through a partnership between the Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad (SPANA) - UK and Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW). The program piloted in 13 schools in four counties.

The program entails recruiting primary schools into the animal welfare clubs targeting an average of 50 children from Grades 4 (mostly children aged between ages 7-13). In these clubs, basic principles on animal welfare are taught to the pupils for a one-year period. It employs an informal teaching methodology through such activities as discussions, games and creative arts which encourage critical thinking, close observation, problem solving and empathy development. Such children are then able to make decisions on their own regarding negative perceptions and myths about animals from an informed perspective.

PAWS is backed by the fundamentals of humane education. Animal welfare is one of the components of Humane Education. It is a form of education that encourages the understanding for the need of empathy, compassion and respect towards people, animals and the environment and understanding the interrelationship among the three. It is impossible to separate the three hence the need for harmony.

The one-year curriculum used in Animal Welfare Clubs intends to equip children with basic knowledge in animal welfare such as the five welfare needs commonly known as the Five Animal Freedoms.

Currently the club operates in eight counties namely:

• Nairobi
• Kiambu
• Machakos
• Kajiado
• Makueni
• Kilifi
• Nakuru
• Taita Taveta

The clubs operate under the close guidance of a teacher who is the patron, and ANAW’s Project Coordinator. The members participate in activities geared towards making them more aware of the importance of animals and how they can prevent cruelty and abuse directed at animals within their communities. The program has been consistent with a steady increase in the number of schools and learners.

Activities

a. Design Production and Distribution of Teaching and Learning Materials
ANAW develops a teacher’s manual and learners activity books that are used during the club lessons. The manuals are revised from time to time to make them relevant to the current animal welfare trends as well as school curriculum. The learners also participate in other hands-on activities outside the classroom in order to practice what they have learned.

b.School visits
Scheduled school visits are done to enhance monitoring and grow relation between the learners, patrons, and the school administration. The ANAW Program Coordinator interacts with the school headteachers and club patrons in the respective schools. The visits are carried out when school is in session, preferably during the club sessions. This helps in the assessment of the delivery of the program.

c. Teachers Training and Workshops
All new patrons are trained to acquaint them with the programme. The teachers’ trainings are held to sensitize and educate teachers on lessons delivery and the running of the clubs. They are also introduced to the animal welfare materials. Workshops are used to share experiences. It is also used as an evaluation tool.

d. Creative talents
Animal welfare clubs embrace the use of creativity by providing additional materials and platforms for drawings, songs, poems among other creativities. There is an inherent and incredible value in arts that has been embraced and is celebrated in animal welfare clubs. Learners produce their own artwork that respond to their interest in animal welfare.

PAWS Programme Highlights

Key highlights

1. 44 teachers trained in International Certificate in Humane Education (ICHE)
 
2. School presentation during World animal days
 
3. Environmental campaign in school and community
 
4. Creative arts presentation. They include Poems, songs and drawings on animal welfare related subjects
 
5. Animal rescues; Schools adopted stray dogs, tortoise rescue, bird rescue
 
6. Supporting needy students to join high school