Appeal to incorporate PETA’s Compassionate Citizen programme in school curriculum
SHILLONG: Padma Bhushan awardee and Olympic medalist MC Mary Kom has appealed to the Meghalaya Government to incorporate PETA’s humane-education programme – Compassionate Citizen – in the school curriculum for children aged between 8 to 12 years.
In a letter addressed to the State Education Minister, the five-time undisputed World Boxing champion pointed out that violence against animals by children is often an early sign of potential acts of violence against humans.
“One of the best ways to knock out cruelty against animals is to teach compassion to young people,” Mary Kom said, adding “Animals need us in their corner. With violence seemingly all around us, it is more important than ever that we teach lessons of respect and kindness in the classroom.”
Compassionate Citizen has been voluntarily adopted in more than 15,000 private and government schools and has reached more than 3 million children across India.
Recently, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) issued a notification to all CBSE-affiliated schools asking them to use it as an official part of their curriculum.
The Animal Welfare Board of India – a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment and Forests – has also asked the education ministers of all states and union territories to incorporate Compassionate Citizen into their official curriculum.
According to the boxing icon, fondly referred to as ‘Magnificent Mary’, most children naturally feel concern and affection for animals but often lose sight of their compassion. A lack of respect for other species can translate into cruelty towards humans. Compassionate Citizen offers teachers tools and lesson plans designed to teach children to view animals as feeling, sensitive beings.
Mary Kom has written similar letters to education ministers across the country.