GARC in schools
These children are learning about rabies at school.
Most rabies victims are less than 15 years old and early education is essential to protecting children from the disease.
Following our project in Bohol (Philippines), rabies education is now taught at all 962 public elementary schools in the province, reaching over 182 000 children. There are rabies modules in various subjects, including Math, Science, English, Filipino, Social Science and Health.
When developing the program, we worked closely with teachers, the Department of Education, the Department of Health and other member agencies of the Bohol Rabies Prevention and Elimination Program.
Some children were trained as 'Rabies Scouters', as peer advocates for rabies prevention. As part of their training, they had to complete a program which included understanding components of responsible pet ownership, and conducting fun and educational events to celebrate the bond between children and pets.
On World Rabies Day, the children remember other children that have died of rabies, by lighting candles and offering prayers.
Throughout, the emphasis is on preventing rabies but it also has other positive benefits. Following the introduction of rabies education into the curriculum, dog bites in general (not just those from rabid animals) fell by 50% too.
And, as children talk at home about what they've learnt at school, classroom education is also an efficient way of spreading knowledge to their families and the wider community.
Help us teach more children how to be safe around animals.
