The Theme of Water in Brazilian High School Mathematics Textbooks: a Critical Analysis of Governmentality and Sustainability

The article discusses the theme of water in Brazilian high school mathematics textbooks approved by the PNLD 2021. Based on Michel Foucault's concept of governmentality and curriculum choice criteria, the study analyzes how these books integrate environmental issues into citizen education. Ten collections were examined, totaling sixty volumes and 16,329 pages, highlighting sub-themes such as water footprint, changing habits and individual responsibility. The results show that, although the topic is widely discussed, there is an emphasis on individual actions, such as saving on domestic consumption, neglecting structural and socio-political reflections on the water crisis. The analysis shows a tendency for textbooks to shape behaviour in line with neoliberal ideals, attributing responsibility to students while minimizing the influence of industrial and agricultural sectors on water consumption. Finally, activities are proposed to deepen these discussions, with the aim of fostering critical mathematics education, connected to social and environmental dimensions, broadening students' understanding of sustainability and the impact of global consumption.

Keywords
Mathematics Education; Textbooks; Governmentality; Water; Sustainability