LSPCA awards top students in the first ever Humane Education Exams

On 29 November, 2013 LSPCA awarded students who did extremely well in the Humane Education Exams that took place early this month.

Nine schools in Lilongwe sat for the Humane Education exams which were aimed at testing the children’s understanding of animal welfare issues before initiating them into the Animal Kindness Clubs.

The award presentation was held at Nkomachi Primary School in area 25, which was the only school that produced a student who scored as high as 100 per cent.

According to Programs Director for LSPCA Dr. Richard Ssuna the Humane Education classes as well as the Animal Kindness Clubs are aimed at promoting compassion towards animals in pupils and instill a sense of responsibility to the well-being of the animals under their care.

“These classes narrow the very wide knowledge gulf between the correct handling and basic care of animals and the norms in our society. Also we dispel the several traditional myths and beliefs that impact on perceptions held in certain communities about animals,” said Dr. Ssuna.

He further said that the program aims at reaching out to school going children and orient their thinking to cause an attitude change in both the individuals and the society they live in.

In addition to the already existing clubs, LSPCA now has 20 Animal Kindness Clubs under their belt. Through the Humane Education Programme LSPCA has reached over 6,000 pupils and 100 trainers and further seeks to roll out a Programme to the rest of the 54 public primary schools in Lilongwe.

Upon receiving his award Gift Kamwendo, the only pupil who managed to get all the questions correct, said that through the humane education classes he has learned a lot about animal welfare and protection.

“I wish all schools in the country had humane education classes, I look forward to advancing into the animal kindness clubs so that I can learn a lot more and broaden my understanding about animal welfare,” said Gift.

Out 1017 students that sat for the exam 511 have passed.

The exams were conducted in nine public primary schools in Lilongwe namely Mkomachi, Kaliyeka, Shire urban, Mvama, Mvunguti, Mlodza, Msambeta, Msambachikho and Chisamba.

However, despite Nkomachi having the best student, it was Chisamba LEA that walked away with the title of best school after displaying a pass rate of 80 per cent.

Speaking during the award presentation, patron for Chisamba Stophan Chambiya, said that Chisamba’s performance shows just how dedicated teacher are with animal welfare programe.

“We will continue to work with LSPCA and are more than ready to start the animal kindness clubs as soon as possible,” said Chambiya.

Other schools that did very well in the exams are Shire Urban and Kaliyeka Primary Schools who came second and third respectively.

The Animal Kindness Clubs are kindly supported by the National Council of SPCAs in South Africa.