Donald Trump Signs Order to Abolish U.S. Department of Education | U.S. News
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has enacted an executive order that calls for the dissolution of the country’s Department of Education.
However, the department cannot be disbanded without congressional approval, as it was established by Congress in 1979. Republicans have stated they plan to propose a bill to facilitate this action.
Mr. Trump has consistently vowed to dismantle the agency, labeling it as inefficient and overly influenced by liberal ideas. It has been a long-standing target for conservative factions.
The order would shift control of school policy largely to states and local boards, a scenario that concerns advocates of liberal education.
The president attributed the nation’s declining academic performance to the department, asserting that states can manage education more effectively.
“It’s not benefiting us,” Mr. Trump remarked during a speech at the White House.
The White House clarified that the department will not be entirely eliminated and will retain its duties related to funding low-income schools and allocating resources for children with disabilities.
Earlier on Thursday, the White House indicated that the department would continue to oversee federal student loans, yet the order seems to contradict this statement.
The department’s workforce has already been reduced by 50%, and significant budget cuts have been made to the Office for Civil Rights and the Institute of Education Sciences, which collects data on educational progress in the U.S.
A notable portion of the agency’s responsibilities involves financial management — including its large student loan portfolio and various aid programs for colleges and school districts, such as meal programs and support for homeless students. The agency also plays a crucial role in enforcing civil rights.
Pic: Reuters
Trump was surrounded by school pupils during an event signing the executive order. Pic: Reuters
While states and districts already oversee local schools, including curriculum decisions, some conservatives advocate for reducing the federal conditions tied to funding and converting these funds into “block grants” for state use as they see fit.
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Supporters of public education argue that eliminating the department would jeopardize the educational opportunities of children in an already unequal system.
“This marks a troubling day for millions of American children relying on federal support for quality education, including those from low-income and rural communities who supported Trump,” stated NAACP president Derrick Johnson.
Democrats have indicated that they will contest the order both in courts and within Congress.
