Care and Use of Animals in Schools

About the Victorian Schools Animal Ethics Committee

In 2005, the Department of Education formed the Victorian Schools Animal Ethics Committee (VSAEC) in collaboration with the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria (http://www.cecv.vic.catholic.edu.au) and the Association of Independent Schools of Victoria  (http://www.ais.vic.edu.au/independent/index.htm).

VSAEC helps schools comply with the following legislation and codes:

 

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Committee composition

The Code stipulates a prescribed committee membership. VSAEC has one executive officer and eleven voting members comprising:

  • Chairperson
  • Association of Independent Schools Victoria (AISV) Representative
  • Category A: two (1) veterinarian with relevant experience
  • Category B: three (3) persons with substantial recent scientific or teaching experience in the use of animals
  • Category C: three (3) independent persons not involved in the scientific use of animals and have active membership of an animal welfare organisation
  • Category D: one (1) independent person who has not been involved in the scientific use of animals and who is independent of the institution
  • Category E: a person responsible for the routine care of animals from within the institution
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Terms of reference

VSAEC will:

  • recommend to the Department of Education any measures needed to ensure compliance with the Act and maintenance of the standards of the Code
  • serve as the Animal Ethics Committee for the Catholic Education Office and Victorian Independent schools, undertaking the same role with respect to these two sectors as it does with the Department
  • assess for compliance all proposals relevant to the use of animals in teaching activities, taking into consideration ethical and welfare aspects as well as educational value. This would apply to activities that would become standard operating practice and proposals outside standard operating practice
  • monitor the acquisition, transport, production, housing, care, use and fate of animals in schools and colleges and appropriately intervene as necessary
  • develop and disseminate information on animal welfare that assists all sites listed on each licence to be in compliance with legislation and encapsulates the principles of the Code: replacement, reduction and refinement
  • maintain a register of approved projects
  • provide a formal annual report to the Bureau of Animal Welfare on the use of animals in teaching in Victorian schools
  • examine and comment on any institutional plans and policies which may affect animal welfare
  • perform all other duties required by the Code.
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Complaints and Grievances

The Victorian Schools Animal Ethics Committee has been established to help all Government, Catholic and Independent Victorian Schools comply with relevant legislation in the responsible care for animals used in teaching.

Complaints

Complaints should be lodged with the Committee if you have any concerns regarding the care, use or treatment of any animal on school property.  The matter should be reported immediately. For more information and to register a complaint, see: Complaints Process (Word - 157Kb)

Grievances

VSAEC is able to reject proposals for the use of animals in schools if the use of animals is not essential or justified and does not conform to the requirements of the Code. This will take into consideration factors including ethics, the impact on the animal or animals and the anticipated educational value.

A grievance can be lodged if you do not agree with the decision of the VSAEC concerning the approval of any application that has been made. For more information and to register a grievance, see: Grievance Process (Word - 146Kb)