NGO proposes animal welfare curriculum in schools

Syed Amir Hussain Today Online 7 May 12;

SINGAPORE - As schools here move towards a more value-driven education, animal welfare group Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) is proposing that animal welfare be included in the formal curriculum, as part of the new character and citizenship education programme in schools.

Currently, ACRES gives talks on the topic - which covers issues such as wildlife trade and wildlife rescue - at educational institutions on an ad-hoc basis.

Speaking to Today, ACRES executive director Louis Ng reiterated that the topic "shouldn't be something outside the curriculum". Said Mr Ng: "If it's within the curriculum, then there will be a greater emphasis on it, rather than, say, something that is extra curriculum."

At a get-together session with supporters yesterday, Mr Ng also shared ACRES' other initiatives in the pipeline.

Among other things, ACRES plans to work with regional governments, regulators and companies to push for a ban on animal testing within the region, similar to what the European Union has done, said Mr Ng.

It will also produce an extensive guide called cruelty-free living, which will be made available for download at its website. The guide will detail all the ways people can ensure they are animal-friendly in their choices as consumers and the activities they partake in.

On the animal welfare situation, Mr Ng told Today that the past year has "definitely been a breakthrough" for animal welfare.

The group jointly held the first ever public forum on animal welfare policies in June last year, which "provided a platform for Singaporeans to speak up on this issue".

The forum attracted more than 400 participants, who provided "constructive feedback", Mr Ng noted.

The second such forum held in February this year also attracted a substantial turnout, with more than 500 people attending.