John Steinbeck's 1937 novella, which delves deeplyinto the lives of two migrant workers during the Great Depression, will soon be absent from the Welsh GCSE curriculum due to concerns around its depiction of racism and the use of racial slurs. The Welsh exam board, WJEC, announced the removal of 'Of Mice and Men' starting September 2025, replacing it with what they describe as "appropriate and inclusive texts" as part of their updated English language and literature syllabus.
The decision follows advocacy from various voices, including Rocio Cifuentes, the Children's Commissioner for Wales. Cifuentes shared her concerns with the BBC, stating, "They've very often been the only black child in the classroom when discussions all around them are focusing on very derogatory, negative depictions of black people." Cifuentes highlighted the emotional and psychological impact such discussions could inflict on students from minority backgrounds.
To guide the development of this new curriculum, WJEC has enlisted the help of an anti-racism consultant, aiming to create qualifications reflective of modern Wales. This updated course is set to feature works created by authors from diverse backgrounds, nationalities, genders, and communities, significantly broadening the scope of literature taught to Welsh students.
Rhian Evans, an English teacher from Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin, expressed her thoughts on the importance of including 'Of Mice and Men' within educational contexts. She pointed out the novella’s significant themes, noting it prompts discussions about societal treatment and the broader human condition. The current debates on removing racially charged literature from school syllabuses have ignited renewed discussion about inclusivity and censorship within educational materials.
A contrasting perspective was shared by Natasha Ashgar, the Welsh shadow education secretary, who criticized the WJEC's decision. She argued removing texts like 'Of Mice and Men' is counterproductive to addressing racism. "Instead of banning Of Mice and Men, we should teach it within its historicalContext, showing students how overt racism and sexism was commonplace and accepted in the past and why this was harmful and wrong," she emphasized.
She went on to highlight her belief about the potential harms of censorship, stating, "Censorship doesn't solve the problem; it prevents young people from confronting and dealing with these prejudices, some of which sadly continue." Such sentiments add depth to the dialogue around educational content and the role of classic literature—and its sometimes challenging themes—in shaping cultural and historical awareness.
It is important to note the broader trends occurring across the UK. 'Of Mice and Men' is not the only classic text to face scrutiny; similar criticisms led to both this novella and 'To Kill A Mockingbird' being removed from the curriculum of the UK exam board OCR back in 2014. This reflects growing calls for curricula to evolve alongside changing societal norms and values, sparking debates over which literature is suitable for educational settings.
With the upcoming changes to the Welsh GCSE, many anticipate how this will shape future discussions on race, literature, and education. While some advocate for the necessity of broadening perspectives within the syllabus, others warn against losing valuable literary works with historical significance. The removal of 'Of Mice and Men' encapsulates the tension between preserving educational integrity and ensuring inclusivity, pushing Schools to re-evaluate both past practices and future pedagogies.
Moving forward, the education system will need to balance these contrasting views, ensuring students receive a comprehensive education. This will likely involve recognizing the importance of diverse literature without retreating from confronting difficult subjects necessary for meaningful discussions around them.
