The concept of animal welfare in the Secondary curriculum and in science textbooks

Abstract

This article presents an analysis of Secondary Education textbooks to know whether they incorporate animal welfare contents. The sample consists in 12 textbooks of Biology and Geology at all levels of secondary education. We have studied both, the theoretical contents of the texts and the activities. In the absence of specific treatment of animal welfare, it is discussed in this paper the content and activities which is related to the nervous system function in animals, the protection of biodiversity and the conservation of ecosystems and the environment. None of the books analyzed is explicitly addressed animal welfare. However, some activities will be presented and discussed about experiences with animals and their care, to retrain students about different aspects related to animal welfare, such as actions aimed to the protection of animals, both domestic or wild. Our final suggestion is incorporation of the term animal welfare in the texts and slightly expands the meaning of the nervous system linking animal suffering with how animals respond to situations involving any abuse caused by humans.