CBSE has asked schools to keep animals are out of laboratories

June 7, 2013, 12:00 am


The CBSE has asked schools under it to make a formal declaration that no animals are being used for dissection in their labs for science practical purposes. The board has been issuing directives to its affiliated schools since 2010 to discontinue the use of rare/endangered wild animals in school laboratories.


"It would be highly appreciated, if the school makes a self-declaration that no animal is used for dissection for science practical purposes," states a circular issued by the CBSE. The circular was issued after the directorate general of forest, government of India, once again requested the CBSE to issue directives to its affiliated schools to discontinue use of rare and endangered wild animals in their laboratories as they were still receiving complaints with regard to violation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

CBSE regional officers have been visiting the affiliated schools in Kerala for inspection to check if threatened plants and animals, including corals, frogs, birds, reptiles or any parts of them including skeletons, bones, feathers and skins are kept in the laboratories. No school will keep any exhibit of animals/plants listed under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. School found violating this will be open to legal action by appropriate authorities under the Act, which is non-bailable.

"Schools had been asked not to keep any live or captive animal for display as it amounts to being a zoo. They have been advised to replace threatened plants or animals, such as corals, shark, frog and starfish with virtual images or models," said sources