Animal party pushes improved animal welfare education in schools

The Animal Party has requested special courses to be included in school curricula to sensitize students about issues concerning animal welfare.

To this end a meeting was held with Education Minister Athena Michaelidou on Monday, during which issues were raised concerning the literacy of children and youth in relation to animal rights, welfare and protection, and their co-existence with humans.

In the course of the meeting the party informed the minister of its actions and programs towards raising this awareness.

In its announcement the party said it had requested a special course to be introduced within the elementary and secondary curricula to address the topic.

The minister stated that adding a special course was not possible, however, she agreed to additional hours dedicated to the subject of animal welfare, to be incorporated into life skills at the primary level, and into biology and home economics for secondary students.

“These courses are basic and compulsory courses,” the animal party noted.

Life skills is taught twice a week for a total of 80 minutes in primary school.

The outcome of the meeting was that the minister will send the curricular materials, as currently taught, to the Animal party for consideration.

“The meeting was attended by Psychoulis, a little dog we rescued from torture and mistreatment,” the party mentioned. It appears to be the first time an animal has been permitted to enter ministry premises.