First High School 'Animal Welfare Textbook' Approved in Korea...To Be Used in Regular Classes at Gyeongbuk Natural Science High School

To Be Used in Regular Classes for First-Year Students at Gyeongbuk Natural Science High School

The first high school animal welfare textbook developed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has been officially approved as a recognized high school textbook.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on March 11 that the high school animal welfare textbook has been approved as a recognized textbook for high schools and will be used in the regular curriculum for first-year students at Gyeongbuk Natural Science High School starting in 2026.

To foster respect for life among future generations and promote a responsible companion animal culture, the Ministry has been developing customized educational materials for each level, from kindergarten through elementary and middle schools, and has operated animal protection and welfare programs during regular class hours.

A representative from the Ministry stated, "This newly developed high school animal welfare textbook is significant in that it extends animal welfare education, which has mainly focused on elementary and middle schools, to the high school level. In particular, it provides in-depth information on the prospects of animal-related industries and various career paths, which can help high school students who are considering their future careers."

The Ministry plans to support high school teachers in utilizing the textbook by operating a curriculum research group, focusing on high schools with companion animal-related departments. Through this group, teachers will be able to share lesson plans, develop learning materials, and discuss effective teaching methods, thereby expanding the use of the textbook.

Lee Yeonsuk, Director of the Animal Welfare Policy Division at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, said, "We expect that animal welfare education will help students develop empathy for life, consideration for the vulnerable, and a sense of responsibility, thereby broadening their understanding of society. In particular, we plan to develop and distribute clear achievement standards and assessment tools so that teachers can effectively use the materials in their classes, and we ask for your continued interest."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.