Three little pigs rewrite classed as racist and stereotypical

[Grumpmeister]

Oh for crying out loud, its a bleedin kids story stop trying to attach all of this other balls to it just to justify your own existence. 

A story based on the Three Little Pigs has been turned down from a government agency's annual awards because the subject matter could offend Muslims.
The digital book, re-telling the classic fairy tale, was rejected by judges who warned that "the use of pigs raises cultural issues".

Becta, the government's educational technology agency, is a leading partner in the annual schools award.

The judges also attacked Three Little Cowboy Builders for offending builders.

The book's creative director, Anne Curtis, said that the idea that including pigs in a story could be interpreted as racism was "like a slap in the face".

'Cultural issues'

The CD-Rom digital version of the traditional story of the three little pigs, called Three Little Cowboy Builders, is aimed at primary school children.

But judges at this year's Bett Award said that they had "concerns about the Asian community and the use of pigs raises cultural issues".

The Three Little Cowboy Builders has already been a prize winner at the recent Education Resource Award - but its Newcastle-based publishers, Shoo-fly were turned down by the Bett Award panel, run the government's technology agency.

The feedback from the judges explaining why they had rejected the CD-Rom highlighted that they "could not recommend this product to the Muslim community".

They also warned that the story might "alienate parts of the workforce (building trade)".

The judges criticised the stereotyping in the story of the unfortunate pigs: "Is it true that all builders are cowboys, builders get their work blown down, and builders are like pigs?"

Animal Farm?

Ms Curtis said that rather than preventing the spread of racism, such an attitude was likely to inflame ill-feeling. As another example, she says would that mean that secondary schools could not teach Animal Farm because it features pigs?

Her company is committed to an ethical approach to business and its products promote a message of mutual respect, she says - and banning such traditional stories will "close minds rather than open them".

Becta, the government funded agency responsible for technology in schools and colleges, says that it is standing by the judges' verdict.

"Becta with its partners is responsible for the judging criteria against which the 70 independent judges, mostly practising teachers, comment. All the partners stick by the judging criteria," said a Becta spokesman.

The reason that this product was not shortlisted was because "it failed to reach the required standard across a number of criteria", said the spokesman.

Becta runs the awards with the Besa trade association and show organisers, Emap Education.

Merlin John, author of an educational technology website which highlighted the story, warns that such rulings can undermine the credibility of the awards.

"When benchmarks are undermined by pedestrian and pedantic tick lists, and by inflexible, unhelpful processes, it can tarnish the achievements of even the most worthy winners.

"It's time for a rethink, and for Becta to listen to the criticisms that have been ignored for a number of years," said Mr John.

[Nick]

I have just done some work for these guys (Becta)

[Snoopy]

How's about "Ten Little Indians"?

[Snoopy]

Ms Curtis said that rather than preventing the spread of racism, such an attitude was likely to inflame ill-feeling. As another example, she says would that mean that secondary schools could not teach Animal Farm because it features pigs?

Somebody ought to tell Ms Curtis that one does not "Teach" Animal Farm rather one instructs children to read it and then helps them develop an understanding of the issues it raises. 

That is, of course, the difference between Education (which I and most here received) and "Scaffolded Learning" which enables modern children to pass examinations and still know f*ck all.

[Grumpmeister]

That is, of course, the difference between Education (which I and most here received) and "Scaffolded Learning" which enables modern children to pass examinations and still know f*ck all.

Hangman Spelling Bee?

[Snoopy]

Not so simple or so amusing.

"Scaffolded Learning" involves the teachers asking questions and supplying the answers ~ all the children have to do is put the answers into their "own words" ~ it is a method designed to ensure the maximum number of passes at Grade C or above.

My daughter (14YO Hormone Wreck) wants to be an Archaeologist and has accordingly selected the appropriate courses both at School and Uni. She has investigated the Uni options (History with Archaeology) and knows where she wishes to go (Bangor). She has been invited to spend her two weeks work experience, due this year, with the County Archaeologist working at various "digs". Obviously she is very interested in History and knows a thing or two over and above the National Curriculum. She recently submitted a piece of "Course Work" that will form part of her GCSE and has been marked down for using the phrases  "Primary Sources" and "Secondary Sources" when describing the information she had gathered ~ because "You haven't learned about them yet and won't until you go onto sixth form". She also quoted (with full and proper attribution) from a number of books that I happen to own. I have an interest in WWI and her course work was about The Somme. She was told not to use such books in future and to only quote from the sources provided with the test papers. This means that she cannot display her knowledge but must write only that which the school has approved.

The school BTW are wrong in at least two of the assertions made in the printed material they have provided. I have informed the History Department of this quoting Field Marshal Haig's own diaries and others on the subject. I await the usual non-response 

[Grumpmeister]

Parrot fashion with a twist then. 

[Snoopy]

Yep ~ bloody awful way of carrying on. 

[Barman]

 

What a state...

They'll be saying that you can't use the word 'Nigger' next... 

[Bar Wench]

She has investigated the Uni options (History with Archaeology) and knows where she wishes to go (Bangor).

Didn't we have a lovely day the day we went to Bangor


BM, my Dad was always partial to the phrase nig nog.

[Barman]

She has investigated the Uni options (History with Archaeology) and knows where she wishes to go (Bangor).

Didn't we have a lovely day the day we went to Bangor

Stupid earworm!

[Barman]

She has investigated the Uni options (History with Archaeology) and knows where she wishes to go (Bangor).

BM, my Dad was always partial to the phrase nig nog.

'Darkie' 

[Bar Wench]

Also partial to Dago. Which was lovely seeing as he choose to retire to Spain. 

[Darwins Selection]

Fuzzy-Wuzzies, Chee-Chees and Yids.

[chuntering again]

More shite journalism for Little Englanders on the "hot topics" of Political Correctness and Islam.

Some fuckwit teacher judging the category decided to be a bit over-sensitive on someone else's behalf, and now we have to listen to the same old dreary, conspiracy-theorist racist cnuts blethering on about Islam and the decline of the country for two weeks. God help us.

It wasn't rejected - it simply didn't win. Nor is this official government stance, just some teacher brought in to judge the category. We entered in 2006 and were shortlisted, and got the usual selection of feedback when we didn't win - it was fairly bizarre, but we didn't go crying to the press like "Shoo-Fly".

"The reason The Three Little Cowboy Builders, from Shoo Fly Publishing, was not shortlisted was that it failed to reach the required standard across a number of criteria. The feedback makes clear that the issues highlighted were a small selection from a much broader range of comments. In particular, the product was not sufficiently convincing on curriculum and innovation grounds to be shortlisted."

Fair enough really. Hang on, I forgot "everyone panic, there's a muslim with a bomb under your bed".

Haven't looked on GOM for a while, but you can bet that's the spin over there (with added calls for genocide no doubt).