Of Mice and Men Removed from Welsh GCSE Syllabus

The Welsh Joint Education Committee (WJEC) has removed John Steinbeck's classic novel Of Mice and Men from the GCSE syllabus due to concerns about its 'psychologically and emotionally' harmful content, particularly regarding its portrayal of racism. Wales's Children's Commissioner, Rocío Cifuentes, supported the decision, citing feedback from black students who felt uncomfortable discussing the book's racial slurs in class. Cifuentes emphasized that the move is not censorship but a measure to safeguard children's well-being, advocating for alternative texts that can foster constructive discussions about race without causing distress. The WJEC plans to introduce a more diverse range of 'appropriate and inclusive texts' for the English language and literature GCSE. This decision echoes similar actions taken in England in 2014 when the book was also dropped from the curriculum. Critics, including some educators, argue that the novel's removal limits important conversations about societal treatment and historical context.