Czech teacher apologizes for math competition problem supporting racist stereotypes after Romani students object
The mathematics competition called the "Pražská střela" [Prague Bullet], organized by the Christian Doppler College Preparatory School, is facing criticism for a word problem posed during the contest's online round on 14 January 2025. The problem, called "Marek + Beata = The Movies“ was sent to news server Romea.cz by readers pointing out the harmful, stereotyping formulation of the question.
The word problem states that “Our Romani friend Marek makes money collecting scrap metal”. Critics warn that emphasizing ethnicity in such a context is unnecessary and supports harmful stereotypes.
According to Czech Technical University student Patrik Grundza, the word problem is a clear example of hidden racism and the strengthening of harmful stereotypes. “The formulation ‘our Romani friend’ not only emphasizes ethnicity unnecessarily, which is absolutely irrelevant to a mathematical word problem, but also indirectly supports stereotypes associating Romani people with crime,” he told Romea.cz.
“It is unacceptable that such a task, which just strengthens biased, harmful views of society instead of developing mathematical thinking, even exists,” Grundza said. Teacher Michaela Mazná, who is in charge of the competition, has acknowledged that an error was made in checking the competition questions.
One of the word problems in the math competition
Our Romani friend Marek makes money collecting scrap metal and wants to invite his girlfriend Beata to the movies. One meter of railway line contains 8 kg of iron and the price of iron is CZK 2.5 /kg. How many meters of railway line does Marek have to collect in order to invite Beata to the movies if the tickets cost CZK 200 per person? Warning: Beata is high-maintenance and wants to eat nachos with cheese during the film, which cost CZK 120. (Report the answer in millimeters.)
“The students themselves created the competition questions. There were about 1,000 questions submitted and it is true that I did not see all of them, which I now consider to be a mistake,” the computer science and mathematics teacher told news server Romea.cz.
Mazná added that the students apparently did not think the question through: “The students did not have bad intentions, they just probably did not think it through and understand it could insult somebody. In any event I would like to apologize to all Romani pupils whose feelings could have been hurt by it.”
According to the manager of the ROMEA organization’s scholarship program for Romani students, Štefan Balog, the word problem explicitly supports stereotypes about Romani people. “I find it greatly alarming that this word problem was created by students, allegedly. It is sad that these young people think this about the Roma. This really shows that part of our society still generalizes and supports stereotypes,” he said, adding that this was a failure on the part of the educators in charge of the competition.
According to hotelier studies student Lucie Hlaváčová, the math problem normalizes a racist view of Romani people. “The word problem is inappropriate because it supports stereotypes and prejudices towards a certain group of people,” she said.
Pedagogy student Sára Tatayová was similarly critical, calling the word problem “insulting and racist”. Future teacher Monika Hronová also condemned it.
“As a Romani woman, my perception is that such a word problem can lead to pupils of Romani origin feeling excluded or humiliated. It can also strengthen prejudices among the other students. I believe it would be more appropriate for this type of word problem to not emphasize an ethnic group, especially when it is not necessary to solving the problem,” Hronová told Romea.cz.
“It certainly would be worthwhile if the school were to focus as soon as possible on the subject of coexistence and the danger of disseminating stereotypes and prejudicial generalizations,” Balog said. Christian Doppler College Preparatory School in Prague has held the “Prague Bullet” math competition since 1996; it is a state-funded secondary school offering both four-year and eight-year programs.
According to the competition website, the school’s eight-year study program offers a concentration in mathematics with expanded instruction in computer science and physics or with a concentration in living languages. The four-year study program offers a concentration in mathematics with expanded instruction in computer science and physics.
