A pair of questions in the maths book apparently refer to the redecoration plans of Xavier Bettel, the DP prime minister, and Étienne Schneider, the LSAP deputy prime minister. Both are openly gay.
In a parliamentary question submitted on 5 June to Claude Meisch, the DP education minister, Fayot asked why the education ministry did not ask for the maths problems to amended or deleted from the book before being used in Luxembourg state schools.
According to Fayot, in the second edition of “Clic & Maths 3e”, published by Editions de Boeck, students are asked questions about painting “the pink bedroom”. Students have to calculate the proportion of white and red paint that “Xavier” needs to mix to created pink. Students then need to calculate the proportion needed so that “Étienne” can have a lighter shade of pink.
Bettel and Schneider’s first names are used, but their family names are not mentioned.
“This work is a compulsory textbook in some sections of the 3rd year of classical secondary education (sections E, F and G). This is a special edition for Luxembourg,” Fayot stated.
Fayot also wanted to know if further textbooks by the same authors will be used by Luxembourg schools in the future.
Meisch has until 5 July to respond to the parliamentary question. Meisch has criticised the book and said it would be withdrawn from schools.
A representative of Editions de Boeck told Delano on Thursday that it expected the education ministry to make a statement shortly, and that the company had no other comment.