Animal Dissections Banned at Seoul Schools Starting This Month

SEOUL, March 31 (Korea Bizwire) — The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education has enacted a new ordinance prohibiting animal dissections at elementary, middle, and high schools across the city, marking a significant shift in science education practices. The amendment to the “Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education’s Ordinance on Animal Abuse Prevention Education and Support,” announced on March [...]The post Animal Dissections Banned at Seoul Schools Starting This Month appeared first on Be Korea-savvy.

First day at school (Image courtesy of Yonhap) SEOUL, March 31 (Korea Bizwire) — The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education has enacted a new ordinance prohibiting animal dissections at elementary, middle, and high schools across the city, marking a significant shift in science education practices. The amendment to the “Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education’s Ordinance on Animal Abuse Prevention Education and Support,” announced on March 30, formalizes restrictions that have been gradually taking shape over recent years. While animal dissections, particularly of fish and frogs, were once commonplace in Seoul classrooms, such practices have become increasingly rare since the revision of the Animal Protection Act in March 2018.

The law prohibited minors from participating in animal dissections, responding to concerns about the psychological impact on students and ethical considerations. Despite these earlier restrictions, some schools continued to conduct dissections of cow eyes and pig hearts in science classes. According to the education office, three schools – two middle schools and one high school – still carried out dissection practices as recently as 2022.

The new ordinance explicitly states that “dissections of animals and animal carcasses for educational purposes, experiments, or research cannot be conducted in accordance with the Animal Protection Act.” However, the regulation includes a provision for exceptions when deemed necessary by a specially formed “Animal Dissection Review Committee,” comprising education curriculum experts and medical professionals. Additionally, the education office has introduced a clause allowing animal abuse prevention education to be incorporated into existing educational plans established under other laws or ordinances.

“We are emphasizing to schools the importance of following proper procedures and establishing committees in accordance with the higher law (Animal Protection Act) regarding dissection practices within the broader context of animal protection,” said an official from the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education. Lina Jang ([email protected]).