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The Trump administration has reduced almost half of the US Education Department workforce, in a step towards the President’s commitment to abolish the agency.
The Education Department said on Tuesday that he was in his “final mission” after announcing that he would rest more than 1,300 workers.
The measure comes after President Donald Trump considers whether he will issue an executive order to close the department, although an act of Congress would be needed to completely abolish it.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon told Fox News last week that she thought Trump “probably aims to sign” an executive order that would lead to the closure of the department.
The department has long been a objective of the conservatives, who argue that education should be completely left in control of individual states, which establish the curriculum and address the daily management of the public education system, state -run and secondary.
The 2025 project, the project for a conservative presidency drafted by the Think-Tank’s right beling foundation, called for the elimination of the department.
Trump has said he wants “states to run schools” and that McMahon “remove himself from a job”.
“Today’s reduction of force reflects the commitment of the Department of Education for Efficiency, Responsibility and Ensure that resources are directed where they matter most: for students, parents and teachers,” McMahon said on Tuesday. It called the movement “an important step towards restoring the greatness of the United States education system”.
The department will go from a staff of 4.133 to about 2,183 employees. The cuts include 572 workers who have voluntarily resigned, including through federal purchases of the Trump administration. The affected employees will be placed on administrative leave starting March 21.
Educators have warned that low -income families would be more hit by the department’s relocation.
The US Federation of Teachers said the decision will affect 90 percent of American children attending state -run schools or the public. The reduction of the workforce was “throwing federal education programs in chaos across the country,” said President Randi Weingarten.
“Ten million students who rely on financial aid to go to college or pursue a trade will be left in limbo. States and districts will be forced to navigate financing crises without federal support, damaging millions of disabilities and students living in poverty,” she added.
The Department of Education oversees student loans to the University, as well as special higher education grants for low -income students, known as Peller Grants. It also provides money for individual school districts to finance primary and secondary education for low -income children and with special needs.
The agency said it would “provide all the legal programs that are under the control of the agency, including formula funds, student loans, Peli grants, students with special needs and competing grants”.
