Washington: US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to formally initiate the process of dismantling the US Department of Education. This move is aimed at returning control over education to the states, reducing the federal government's role in education policy.
Beyond the "core necessities, my administration will take all lawful steps to shut down the department," Trump said in a speech at the White House on Thursday.
"We're going to shut it down and shut it down as quickly as possible," Trump said.
Noting that the Education Department is 'doing us no good' – citing low proficiency in reading and math among students in US elementary, middle and high schools – Trump said his administration is returning education to the states," according to a report by the Xinhua news agency.
The US president has stated that the Department of Education's core functions will be "fully preserved" and redistributed to other agencies and departments. These functions include Pell Grants, which provide crucial financial aid to low-income undergraduate students pursuing higher education, and Title I funding, which supports schools serving disadvantaged students, aiming to improve educational opportunities and bridge the gap for those from low-income families. Additionally, funding for programs supporting children with disabilities and special needs will also be preserved, ensuring continuity of essential services for these students.
"The Trump administration is denying the next generation the resources they need to succeed in order to pay for tax breaks for billionaires. It is a betrayal to students, parents, and educators," Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Chair Rep. Grace Meng and Education Task Force Chair Rep. Mark Takano said in a joint statement.
"This is an unlawful decision, and Congress must not cede its authority in the face of this order," according to the statement.
The process of establishing or dismantling federal agencies typically requires Congressional approval through legislation. This means that if Trump wants to shut down the Education Department, he'll need to go through the formal legislative process in Congress. However, it's still unclear how he plans to move forward with his executive order.
Trump has been a vocal critic of the Education Department, arguing that despite substantial federal funding, the quality of education in the US has fallen short of expectations. He's pointed to specific areas of concern, including American students' subpar performance in reading, math, and other skills.
Trump has also accused the Education Department of being infiltrated with left-wing ideologies, labelling it a hub of "radicals, zealots, and Marxists." He believes these individuals have overstepped their authority through excessive guidance and regulation. To counter this, Trump advocates for transferring educational authority back to the states, aiming to reduce federal intervention and promote local control.
The Education Department previously initiated a large-scale layoff. According to earlier US media reports, the department, which originally had 4,000 employees, would cut nearly half of its workforce. Trump said Thursday that the "reduction in force" was successful. "We've cut the number of bureaucrats in half, 50 per cent," he said.
(inputs from IANS)