Mayor de Blasio on Friday said that city schools would adopt relevant lesson p𓆏lans in advance of the national school walkout on March 14 to protest gun violence.
“This is a teachable moment on top of a moment for potentially profound social change,” the mayor said on WNYC radio. “We’re going to do lesson plans around this issue leading up to that day. We’re going to make sure that there’s a real educational impact.”
Given his gun control advocacy, the mayor was pressed on whether the Department of Education would be able to ensure that the lessons ahead of a rally seeking greater gun control would be non-political.
“We need to recognize the power of the moment and let young people participate, but the discussion around it educationally needs to be an objective one,” de Blasio responded.
But a Republican lꦿegislator immediately questioned whether the heavily Democratic city would go far enough to ensure the classroom debate was b🐲alanced.
“Will there be counseling and provisions made for students who are upset to hear the view that their gun owning parents are part of a problem that resulted in mass murder?” City Councilmember Joe Borelli (R-SI) “Will there be any pro-[Second Amendment] speakers/teachers invited to discuss?”
Department of Education officials said the first 10 amendments are already taught as part of the social studies curriculum, and that the agency will be issuing guides to teachers on facilitating conversations around current events ahead ♑of the walkout.