Humane Education: STRAW India teaching children compassion for animals

Vasanthi Kumar, Co-Founder and Managing Trustee, STRAW India and Tanveer Khanam, Assistant Manager, Humane Education at STRAW India, have chosen to do the stellar job of educating young minds and teaching them empathy towards animals.

STRAW and humane education

As per the founders, STRAW (Stray Relief and Animal Welfare) is currently the only non-profit in the country solely dedicated to the cause of humane education in India

For over 12 years, STRAW India has worked to instil compassion in more than 55,000 children across government, private, international and NGO-run schools. Through age-appropriate and thoughtfully designed workshops that blend knowledge with empathy and action, STRAW India helps reshape how children perceive and treat animals, moving them from passive observers to active protectors of the voiceless.

STRAW India has conducted humane education programs and workshops at leading schools in the cities of the national capital region of New Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Bhopal.

‘Compassionate Classroom’

Their flagship program is called ‘Compassionate Classroom,’ and it is tailored to align with specific school needs, including customised sessions based on the IB syllabus or focused modules on topics related to animal welfare and compassion that a school may be exploring.

Empathy and compassion

Vasanthi Kumar said, “Empathy and compassion are among the most frequently used buzzwords that are echoed in campaigns, classrooms and conversations today. But are we talking the talk?”

“How often are these values truly cultivated in children? The early years of childhood are like soft clay, ready to be shaped. It’s when kids start building their view of the world, learning how to feel, connect and care. Sure, schools and parents do a great job teaching ABCs, math, extracurricular activities and values like honesty and hard work. But compassion? This is something that comes last, if at all. And when it comes to kindness for animals, it’s often forgotten. To be honest, for most people, the circle of compassion stops with humans. Animals, especially strays, rarely make it into that circle,” the STRAW India co-founder said.

Limited understanding of the world of animals

A narrow understanding of animals and their place in the world can have troubling consequences.

When children are not taught to recognise their suffering, they may grow indifferent or even hostile towards them. A viral video showing an injured animal might be laughed at and not questioned. This lack of empathy isn’t just accidental; it’s shaped by a culture where emotional disconnect is normalised and social media rewards amusement over awareness.

Without intentional guidance, insensitivity can take root early, making compassion the exception rather than the norm.

Humane education bridges the gap

Vasanthi Kumar said, “Humane Education, which is a method of teaching that cultivates compassion and respect for all living beings, fills a critical gap in a child’s development. It teaches children that animals are not merely a part of the scenery, but are sentient beings who feel pain, fear, joy and can choose comfort, just as we do. It nurtures empathy, compassion and a sense of responsibility, helping children see beyond the surface. A dog opting to drink from a muddy puddle or from sewage is not making an unusual choice but is showcasing his desperate need to quench his thirst. Humane education gives children the tools to recognise suffering, respond with care and expand their circle of compassion to include all living beings.”

The link between animal cruelty and human violence

Decades of psychological research have revealed a disturbing truth: cruelty to animals in childhood is a strong predictor of future violent behaviour.

One national survey of women in domestic violence shelters in the US found that 85 per cent of those with pets reported their abusers had also harmed or threatened their animals.

This disturbing pattern, known as the violence link, highlights the urgent need for humane education.

By instilling empathy and compassion early on, humane education helps children develop into caring, responsible individuals. It often begins with simple acts of kindness toward pets at home, but over time, this empathy can grow into a deeper commitment to protect animals and respect all living beings.

In a world where violence can take root early, teaching compassion isn’t just important; it’s essential.

The impact of humane education is already visible

In New Delhi, schools have formed animal welfare groups to care for stray animals around their campuses.

Tanveer Khanam said, “In Hyderabad, students created an Animal Ambassadors Club after a STRAW India workshop and are now actively feeding street animals and promoting kindness.”

Tanveer Khanam conducts humane education workshops in schools about being kind and compassionate towards animals. Similarly, in Bhopal, a school principal began fostering an injured puppy found near the school.

Creating empathy

These are not isolated acts; they signal a quiet but meaningful shift from indifference to empathy. Humane education empowers children to ask deeper questions, like:

- How can people live in harmony with stray dogs?

- Why is a dog or a cow eating from the garbage or drinking water from a dirty puddle?

- What is the need for a tired horse to carry the groom during marriage?

- How did elephants decide to offer joy rides to tourists?

Awareness leads to compassion, and compassion leads to action.

Vasanthi said, “In a world where convenience often overshadows conscience, humane education stands as a quiet but powerful force for change. It is not a luxury or an afterthought, but a necessity. By teaching children to see animals as sentient beings worthy of care and respect, we are planting the seeds of a more compassionate future. These children will grow into adults who not only understand the value of empathy but live by it. Fostering a generation that grows up more compassionate than the last is one of the greatest legacies we can leave behind. In nurturing their hearts today, we are safeguarding the soul of tomorrow’s world.”