WJEC, the Cardiff-based Welsh exam board, has announced that John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men will no longer be included in the GCSE English syllabus in Wales. The decision comes amid concerns over the book’s repeated use of racial slurs and its potential emotional impact on students.

First published in 1937, the novella explores the friendship between Lennie and George as they navigate life during the Great Depression. Despite its literary significance, the text will be phased out from classrooms starting in September.

Rocio Cifuentes, the Children’s Commissioner for Wales, supported the decision, describing the text as “psychologically and emotionally harmful” to Black students.

She explained: “During our research into racism in schools, many Black children specifically mentioned this text and the harm it caused them.”

In Of Mice and Men, the character Crooks, a Black stable hand, is subjected to racial slurs and repeated use of the N-word.

‘Not Censorship’

Ms Cifuentes emphasised that the decision was not about censorship but safeguarding students’ wellbeing.

“This is about protecting children who have told us how harmful classroom discussions around this text have been for them,” she said.

“They’ve often been the only Black child in the room when these discussions occur, surrounded by derogatory depictions of people who look like them.”

WJEC said the decision was part of a broader overhaul that merges English Language and Literature into one GCSE. The board also employed an anti-racism consultant to advise on the selection of appropriate texts.

A WJEC spokesperson said: “We’ve provided a choice of works from writers of diverse backgrounds, nationalities, genders, and communities. This new selection aims to enrich the educational experience with themes that resonate with modern learners.”

Tory Criticism

Natasha Asghar MS, the Shadow Education Secretary, has spoken out against the decision, arguing that banning the book is counterproductive and limits educational opportunities.

“Instead of banning Of Mice and Men, we should teach it within its historical context, showing students how overt racism and sexism were commonplace and accepted in the past, and why this was harmful and wrong.

“Censorship doesn’t solve the problem; it prevents young people from confronting and understanding these prejudices, some of which, sadly, continue.

“Even in 2024, we continue to see racism and sexism in society. If we want to tackle this, then instead of banning a classic text, we would do better to challenge media companies that produce music containing misogynistic language and words with racist connotations.”

Teachers React

Rhian Evans, an English teacher at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin in Carmarthen, acknowledged the book’s value but understood the reasoning behind its removal.

She said: “We always addressed the use of the N-word carefully in class, discussing why it shouldn’t be repeated. But as a white woman, I can never fully understand how it feels for a child of colour to encounter that word in an educational setting.”

She added: “There are other authors from diverse backgrounds who explore similar themes in ways more relevant to today’s students.”

Previously, Of Mice and Men and Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird were removed from the OCR English Literature syllabus in 2014, after then-Education Secretary Michael Gove pushed for the inclusion of more British authors.

The updated WJEC syllabus includes classics such as Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, and William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. Contemporary additions include Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library and Christy Lefteri’s The Beekeeper of Aleppo.

The changes aim to ensure a more inclusive and representative literary curriculum for Welsh students.

A HAVERFORDWEST man who had difficulty coming to terms with the end of his marriage has appeared before magistrates where he pleaded guilty to stalking his former wife. 

Terry Mochan and his wife, Carol, separated in January 2024, but three months later, Ms Mochan found herself being harassed and intimidated by her former husband.

The first incident took place on April 13 when Mochan, 25, of St Issells Avenue, Merlins Bridge, Haverfordwest, raised his middle finger at his wife in a public place, and shouted at her.

Three days later Mrs Mochan noticed that her ex-husband was following her through Haverfordwest town centre.

“He was driving very closely behind her in his van,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest Magistrates this week.

In a victim impact statement that was read to the court, Mrs Mochan said both incidents have had a profound effect on her self-confidence.

“She’s now concerned, whenever she’s driving through town, that the defendant will be following her,” said Ms Vaughan.  “It’s having an impact on her life and she’s concerned that he’ll attend her property.”

Mr Mochan was represented by solicitor Mr Gavin Rofer who said the defendant has no previous convictions.

“Both incidents were the result of the breakdown of their marriage,” he said.  “But since April 16 there have been no further incidents.”

After considering the mitigation, magistrates fined Mochan £180 and ordered him to pay £325 court costs and a £72 surcharge.  A 12 month restraining order was imposed, preventing him from having any contact with Carol Mochan.

WHEN hostel resident Andrew Finan feared he was suffering a seizure, he attempted to contact the hostel’s support worker for help.

But when she failed to answer his calls, Finan walked up to the hostel’s CCTV camera, shouting angrily and brandishing a large kitchen knife.

“He’s been at the hostel since August, but he’s hard work,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“He has various mental health issues and the staff have difficulty controlling him.”

Incident captured on CCTV

The incident took place in the early hours of December 22 at the Furnace Bank Hostel, Carmarthen.

“The CCTV covers the hostel, and the defendant was shouting angrily directly at the camera and holding a large kitchen knife in his hand,” said Ms Vaughan.

The support worker on duty at the time heard Finan shouting, “I’m sick of you, you b*******,” before turning away and going upstairs to his room.

Support worker left shaken

“I found the incident scary,” the support worker said in a victim impact statement. “His behaviour is erratic and unpredictable, and he scares me. I don’t know what to expect from him from day to day. Waving the knife around and directing it at me was extremely worrying.”

Defence cites frustration

But Finan’s solicitor, Fenn Richards, said his actions were the result of frustration at being ignored by staff.

“He believed he was going to have a seizure, as he’s had five brain bleeds in the past as a result of an assault,” she said.

“He tried to get the staff’s attention, but they didn’t answer the door, and the only way he could get their attention was to stand in front of the camera.”

Sentencing next month

Finan pleaded guilty to a charge of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place. Sentencing was adjourned to January 14 to allow a probation report to be prepared. Finan was released on conditional bail, with conditions including reporting twice a week to Carmarthen police station, not visiting the Furnace Bank Hostel, and having no contact with the support worker.