Now, Bengal schools may start feeding stray dogs to sensitise students
'Some more activities are also suggested, such as the arrangement of feeding such dogs immediately outside the school campus at a fixed time once in the afternoon may be explored. For the purpose of feeding, one particular individual (preferably from the MDM-SHG personnel) may be given the assignment,' said an advisory issued on Friday.
'District-level convergence may be made to establish contact with the District Office of Animal Resource Development Department for sterilisation and vaccination of such stray dogs. It is expected that if these practices are adopted and followed, the students of the schools will learn about the importance of taking care of such animals living in their neighbourhood/immediate vicinity,' the advisory added.
This follows a letter written by animal rights activist and former MP Maneka Sanjay Gandhi to the PBSSM.
While reacting to the suggestion, Animesh Halder of the Secondary Teachers and Employees Association had a word of advice for the government. 'It is important that children learn about kindness and empathy, but the government must first prioritise increasing honorariums for midday meal workers, building boundary walls, developing playgrounds and libraries, and improving overall school infrastructure. Otherwise, the education system itself will suffer,' Halder said while speaking to The Indian Express.
In April, the PBSSM directed all district education officers to implement safety measures to prevent stray dog attacks on children. Schools were advised to utilise the morning assemblies to sensitise the children. Students should avoid approaching stray dogs, throwing stones at them, hitting or yelling at them, running away from them, or making sudden movements.
Teachers were instructed to prevent the entry of dogs into school premises when midday meals are served and to take extra precautions during the canine breeding season, when dogs tend to be more aggressive.
The directive was issued following a letter from the Department of School Education & Literacy under the Ministry of Education and stated that the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights had made the recommendations.
The letter emphasised the role of municipal bodies under the Animal Birth Control Rules 2023.
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Now, Bengal schools may start feeding stray dogs to sensitise students
The Paschim Banga Samagra Shiksha Mission (PBSSM) has suggested schools all across West Bengal feed stray dogs once a day to sensitise students 'about the importance of taking care of such animals living in their neighbourhood'. 'Some more activities are also suggested, such as the arrangement of feeding such dogs immediately outside the school campus at a fixed time once in the afternoon may be explored. For the purpose of feeding, one particular individual (preferably from the MDM-SHG personnel) may be given the assignment,' said an advisory issued on Friday. 'District-level convergence may be made to establish contact with the District Office of Animal Resource Development Department for sterilisation and vaccination of such stray dogs. It is expected that if these practices are adopted and followed, the students of the schools will learn about the importance of taking care of such animals living in their neighbourhood/immediate vicinity,' the advisory added. This follows a letter written by animal rights activist and former MP Maneka Sanjay Gandhi to the PBSSM. While reacting to the suggestion, Animesh Halder of the Secondary Teachers and Employees Association had a word of advice for the government. 'It is important that children learn about kindness and empathy, but the government must first prioritise increasing honorariums for midday meal workers, building boundary walls, developing playgrounds and libraries, and improving overall school infrastructure. Otherwise, the education system itself will suffer,' Halder said while speaking to The Indian Express. In April, the PBSSM directed all district education officers to implement safety measures to prevent stray dog attacks on children. Schools were advised to utilise the morning assemblies to sensitise the children. Students should avoid approaching stray dogs, throwing stones at them, hitting or yelling at them, running away from them, or making sudden movements. Teachers were instructed to prevent the entry of dogs into school premises when midday meals are served and to take extra precautions during the canine breeding season, when dogs tend to be more aggressive. The directive was issued following a letter from the Department of School Education & Literacy under the Ministry of Education and stated that the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights had made the recommendations. The letter emphasised the role of municipal bodies under the Animal Birth Control Rules 2023.
