A story based on the Three Little Pigs has been rejected by a government quango in case it offends Muslims. The digital remake of the children's classic was criticised by Becta, the education technology agency, because "the use of pigs raises cultural issues". Officials also attacked the story - called The Three Little Cowboy Builders - for stereotyping the building trade, reports the Daily Telegraph. The comments were condemned by the computer program's creator as "a slap in the face" The controversy was sparked during an awards ceremony designed to honour the best educational stories, programmes and teaching aids for children. Dozens of companies submitted entries but Newcastle-based publishers Shoo Fly were shocked when judges told them that their interactive 3D book was unsuitable for children. In a feedback form, Becta told the company: "Judges would not recommend this product to the Muslim community in particular."
The story for primary school pupils replaces pigs with "cowboy builders" as part of a light-hearted tale designed to spark interest in reading and design technology skills. But its authors were also told that it portrays the building industry in a bad light. Judges said "retelling a story" was acceptable, but it "should not alienate parts of the workforce", adding that builders should be "positive" role models for young children. "Is it true that all builders are cowboys, builders get their work *la*hwn down, and builders are like pigs?" the judges asked. Anne Curtis, the founder of Shoo Fly, which won a prize at the prestigious Education Resource Awards for the story, said: "The feedback amounted to a verbal assault. "I feel these criticisms aim to close the minds of teachers and young people to some issues." Muslims criticised Becta's response and insisted that a computer program based on the Three Little Pigs should be welcomed in state schools. Tahir Alam, the head of education at the Muslim Council of Britain, said: "We are not offended by that at all." Yesterday, the quango stood by the verdict, which was made by 70 independent judges, mainly teachers.
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http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_2696536.html
Crazypickney said
21:21 01/25 2008
whey di hell
BabyBashment said
11:40 01/27 2008
LMAO FOOLISHNESS
pistolvaniasfinest said
13:20 01/27 2008
all I can say is.........wow.........wow.........see ,thats what happens nowadays with people always trying to be "Politically Correct"......just makes them look like damn fools.......
The digital remake of the children's classic was criticised by Becta, the education technology agency, because "the use of pigs raises cultural issues".
Officials also attacked the story - called The Three Little Cowboy Builders - for stereotyping the building trade, reports the Daily Telegraph.
The comments were condemned by the computer program's creator as "a slap in the face"
The controversy was sparked during an awards ceremony designed to honour the best educational stories, programmes and teaching aids for children.
Dozens of companies submitted entries but Newcastle-based publishers Shoo Fly were shocked when judges told them that their interactive 3D book was unsuitable for children.
In a feedback form, Becta told the company: "Judges would not recommend this product to the Muslim community in particular."
The story for primary school pupils replaces pigs with "cowboy builders" as part of a light-hearted tale designed to spark interest in reading and design technology skills.
But its authors were also told that it portrays the building industry in a bad light.
Judges said "retelling a story" was acceptable, but it "should not alienate parts of the workforce", adding that builders should be "positive" role models for young children.
"Is it true that all builders are cowboys, builders get their work *la*hwn down, and builders are like pigs?" the judges asked.
Anne Curtis, the founder of Shoo Fly, which won a prize at the prestigious Education Resource Awards for the story, said: "The feedback amounted to a verbal assault.
"I feel these criticisms aim to close the minds of teachers and young people to some issues."
Muslims criticised Becta's response and insisted that a computer program based on the Three Little Pigs should be welcomed in state schools.
Tahir Alam, the head of education at the Muslim Council of Britain, said: "We are not offended by that at all."
Yesterday, the quango stood by the verdict, which was made by 70 independent judges, mainly teachers.