WASHINGTON – THE US Department of Education announced Tuesday a massive downsizingreducing staff almost half within the framework of That of President Donald Trump a broader push towards shrink the federal government.
This move marks the first step towards dismantling the department, a long-standing objective of Right-wing Republicans who defend decentralized educational policies.
Key developments:
- Total workforce reduction: Almost 50% of employees affected.
- Initial resignations and retirements: 600 employees voluntarily left in recent weeks.
- New layoffs: 1,300 employees will be placed on administrative leave Since March 21receiving a salary up to June.
- Leadership Statement:
- Linda McMahon, Secretary of Educationappointed only five days ago, described this approach as a step towards achieving Trump’s directive has close the department.
- “We are eliminating bureaucratic overload,” she told Fox News.
- Supervisory role: Billionaire businessman Elon Musk He would oversee government-wide downsizing.
Impact on educational programs:
- Student Loans, Pell Grants, and Special Needs Funding: These programs mandated by the federal government continue.
- Federal Oversight and Civil Rights Protection: Can weakenraising concerns about accountability in education.
Political reactions:
- Trump’s justification: Affirms that the move will be return power to the states And eliminate inefficiency.
- Democratic response:
- Senator Patty Murray condemned budget cuts, warning against fewer teachers, fewer responsibilities and fewer resources for students.
- Critics say the move is a backdoor strategy to dismantle the Department of Education without Congressional approval.
Background:
- THE US Department of Educationestablished in 1979play a critical role in financing low-income schools, by enforcing protection of civil rightsAnd track student results.
- Trump has promised for a long time has reduce federal influence in education, arguing that states should have total control on schools.
While the the department cannot be legally abolished without Congressional approvalcritics say layoffs effectively neutralize its influence without a formal vote.
