Censorship fear over new GCSE syllabus

Councils education chief slams minister after books were cut from English syllabus

6:00am Monday 26th May 2014 in News By Mark Stanford, T&A Reporter

The ditching of Amercian classic novels from the GCSE syllabus smacks of censorship says Bradfords politician in charge of education.

Councillor Ralph Berry has heavily criticised Education Secretary Michael Gove after books including To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, and John Steinbecks Of Mice and Men were removed from exam board OCRs draft GCSE English Literature syllabus.

Instead, more works by British authors will reportedly be included, such as pieces by Charles Dickens and Jane Austen.

The Department for Education (DofE) wants pupils to appreciate the power of the English literary heritage and more pre-20th Century works.

Coun Berry, Bradford Councils executive member for childrens services, said Bradford students could miss out if American classics were pulled.

It smacks of censorship. It seems to be getting to some sort of level of what people should, and shouldnt, know.

My main feeling is its a great shame. This is silly. There is some good, stimulating reading he is dismissing.

The new GCSE syllabus, which will start next year, will reportedly include more works by a host of British authors instead, including Charles Dickens and Jane Austen.

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Censorship fear over new GCSE syllabus