At school, there is a lot of talk about knowledge. Much less often — about feelings.
Yet it is feelings that shape the choice: to help or to walk by, to step in or to pretend not to have noticed.
A+ Educational Holding is launching the systematic integration of humane education into the learning process. This is not a separate elective or a one-time initiative. It is part of a child’s everyday school experience.
The cooperation is being implemented together with the non-governmental organization UAnimals within the framework of the officially approved educational program “Humane Education and Volunteering”, created with the support of Suziria Group. This is a full-fledged ecosystem: lessons, practical cases, and volunteer initiatives integrated into the learning process.
What a humane education lesson looks like
This is not a lecture “about proper behavior.” It is a live conversation during which children learn to analyze situations, recognize emotions, and see the consequences of their own actions.
“The lessons were held in the format of a live dialogue: students discussed real-life situations involving stray animals, learned to recognize cruelty and responsible behavior, and offered their own solutions. Through discussions and practical cases, the topic of humanity becomes less abstract for them — children begin to see how even small actions can truly affect the lives of animals.”
Yuliia Yatsyk, English teacher, Adventurous Journey Coordinator of The DofE program, and head of the volunteer club at the A+ Architectural and Engineering Collegium.
During the lessons, students draw parallels between the emotions of people and animals and learn to talk about empathy, support, and responsibility without moralizing or formulaic answers.
Why humane education matters
Scientific research confirms that a caring attitude toward animals contributes to the development of empathy, emotional regulation, and prosocial behavior in children.
At the same time, criminological studies have for many years pointed to a link between animal cruelty in childhood and violent behavior in adulthood. That is why humane education today is an important part of shaping a safer society.
“During the lesson, children had the opportunity to experience different emotions through a story about cruelty toward an animal and its rescue. This helped them gain a deeper understanding of what others feel and develop an empathetic attitude toward animals. Discussing such situations is an important step in nurturing humanity, responsibility, and a willingness to help those who need it.”
Alina Savych, homeroom teacher of class 2C at Fanny Fayna Primary School
How it is integrated into learning
The materials of the “Humane Education and Volunteering” project were created for students in grades 1–9 in accordance with the concept of the New Ukrainian School and state educational standards.
The program includes:
- ready-made lesson plans for teachers;
- workbooks;
- presentations;
- interactive tasks for offline and online lessons.
The lessons cover natural sciences, social studies, health education, and civic and historical education. They can be integrated into different subjects and adapted to the age of the students.
Teachers do not need to create the format from scratch — they receive a ready-made tool that is easy to integrate into the learning process and aligned with modern educational approaches.
“When discussing these topics with children, it is important to avoid overly traumatic stories and not to focus on cruelty. Instead, the focus should shift toward help, support, and human responsibility. Children perceive information better through positive examples, rescue stories, and real opportunities to take part in good deeds. We used ready-made lessons from ‘Humane Education and Volunteering,’ which greatly simplify preparation and make the lesson structured and modern. They contain accessible explanations, visual elements, and tasks that correspond to children’s age-specific characteristics. It is important to end such lessons with concrete actions: even a small step — informational support, collecting food, spreading the ideas of humane treatment — gives children a sense of involvement and responsibility.
I am convinced that it is through such lessons that we raise a conscious, caring generation that knows how to empathize and act. Thank you to all colleagues for your involvement and support of this important initiative!”
Olena Radzykhovska, primary school teacher at Respublika Kids Primary School
From conversations to real actions
Humane education works when a child sees that compassion can turn into concrete actions.
That is why the cooperation includes:
- volunteer initiatives;
- school social projects;
- thematic lectures and workshops;
- support for student initiatives aimed at helping animals and the environment.
“The implementation of the ‘Humane Education and Volunteering’ project in cooperation with UAnimals is not only about knowledge, but above all about shaping values. Such initiatives help create a culture of responsibility, empathy, and conscious respect for life in all its forms within the educational environment. It is important for us that children not only understand what humanity means, but also know how to show it in their everyday decisions and actions. Through projects like this, school becomes a space for nurturing conscious and caring citizens.”
Halyna Hermanson, Deputy Director of Fanny Fayna Primary School
The position of A+ Educational Holding
For A+, humane education is part of a modern approach to learning, where emotional intelligence, responsibility, and the ability to interact with the world remain as important as academic results.
“Initiatives such as ‘Humane Education and Volunteering’ shape not only students’ knowledge, but also their worldview. It is important for us to raise children who are capable of taking responsibility, showing empathy, and acting consciously in society.”
Oleksandra Hryshko, Deputy Director for Educational and Upbringing Work at the A+ Architectural and Engineering Collegium, CIE Coordinator at AEC, The DofE Coordinator, IOAI Ukraine International Coordinator
“At Respublika Kids, we educate not only successful students, but also conscious and empathetic people. Through involvement in volunteer projects and initiatives from ‘Humane Education and Volunteering,’ our teachers help children develop a responsible attitude toward animals and the environment. We are convinced that it is at the school desk, through small practical steps, that a progressive future generation is formed — one capable of changing the world for the better!”
Daryna Vitiuk, Deputy Director for Upbringing Work at Respublika Kids Primary School
Education that shapes the environment
According to research, most Ukrainians perceive animals as part of the family. At the same time, the level of cruelty toward animals remains high. This is a gap between values and behavior. And education is the only way to close it systematically.
The “Humane Education and Volunteering” program was developed by UAnimals and Suziria Group in cooperation with methodologists, researchers, and educators. It has already received the stamp “Approved for use in the educational process” from the Ukrainian Institute of Education Development of the Ministry of Education and Science.
Today, humane education lessons are gradually being integrated into the educational process of Ukrainian schools. And A+ is becoming one of the first educational holdings to implement this area systematically — as part of an environment where a child learns not only to achieve results, but also to remain attentive to the world around them.
