A damning report has accused the animal rights group  PETA of distributing "misleading propaganda" in UK schools with the intent to "indoctrinate children." The dossier, titled Saving Kids From PETA, claims that the non-profit - known for receiving millions of pounds in donations annually - has been supplying educational materials to classrooms, some aimed at children as young as five. According to the report, these materials include controversial content that promotes "extremist" views with the goal of encouraging veganism.

Critics argue the lessons lack balance and factual accuracy, presenting emotionally charged messages under the guise of education. Brian Monteith, a Member of the Scottish Parliament and adviser to PETA Watch, the group behind the report, criticised the materials, labeling them as "propaganda" that could induce “stress and anxiety” in young children. One lesson on agriculture describes poultry farming solely in negative terms. The handout claims that animals like chickens, ducks, and pigs are "kept inside sheds with little room to move, no fresh air, and nothing to do."

It also includes statements such as “chickens form friendships,” without providing a broader context or acknowledging differing viewpoints.

Another classroom activity, titled ‘Zoos: Prison or Paradise’, presents students with a list of provocative claims to debate as true or false.

Examples include: “Animals in zoos are like people in prison, except the animals have done nothing wrong,” and “When there are too many animals in a zoo, they are killed or sent to circuses or other zoos abroad. These zoos may be very bad.”

PETA Watch argues that the activity presents misinformation as fact, misleading students rather than informing them.

“It’s presented as if it's some sort of balanced educational exercise,” Mr Monteith said, “when no sooner do you open the material and you're confronted with a view of a cow lying down in a field with the words ‘help save animals’.”

He added: “Now, that's leading straight away in the sense of clearly arguing for veganism, it's not so much about how animal welfare is treated.”

The report also highlights a handout on animal testing, which features graphic images of monkeys and includes unverified claims, allegedly lacking scientific citations.

“This is clearly propaganda built on assumptions about how animals are mistreated and under threat,” Mr Monteith said.

PETA Watch is now urging Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson to ban the use of these materials in schools. Mr Monteith said he hopes she will recognise that the content is “one-sided, biased, and does not present a true picture of our world.”

A spokesperson for PETA noted that the organisation does not monitor how many schools use its materials, nor does it track student responses. As a result, there is currently no data on the extent of their use or their impact on children.