The US President, Donald Trump will sign on Thursday (20.03.2025) Executive Decree aimed at dissolving the federal Ministry of Educationsays the White House.
Donald Trump has long called for the federal Ministry of Education to be abolished. It is a coveted target of some conservatives, however, its complete elimination requires the approval of Congress.
This move, which he promised to do in the election campaign, is already facing legal challenges by those who seek to prevent the ministry from closing, as well as sweeping cuts to his staff announced last week.
And this is considered unlikely, given the poor majority of 53-47 that Republicans have in the Senate. An important legislation such as closing a ministry would require 60 votes.
But even if the ministry is not officially closed, the Trump government could decorate its funding and staff, as it did with the USAid International Development Service, which then stopped the vast majority of its programs and humanitarian work.
The president’s order for the Ministry of Education is expected to be signed during a ceremony at the White House later on Thursday. Reportedly, the signature will be found by Republican rulers of states, including Ron Dessandis of Florida.
The decree will “broaden educational opportunities” and “strengthen parents, states and communities to take control and improve the results for all students,” a White House spokesman said Wednesday.
The Ministry of Education was founded in 1979 and oversees the funding of public schools, manages student loans and manages programs that help students with low income.
Trump has accused him of going on for young people with racial, sexual and political material.
A common misconception is that the ministry operates the US schools and sets the curricula – but this is done by states and local regions.
And a relatively small percentage of funding for primary and secondary schools – about 13% – comes from federal funds. The majority consists of states and local groups.
The Organization also plays a prominent role in the management and supervision of federal student loans used by millions of Americans to pay higher education.
‘The final mission of our ministry’
Shortly after her swearing -in, Trump’s Minister of Education, Linda McMaon, sent 4,400 ministry officials a memorandum entitled “The Final Mission of our Ministry”.
“This is our opportunity to perform one last, unforgettable public service for future generations of students,” he wrote.
“I hope you will join me to ensure that when our final mission is completed- we can say that we have left American education freer, stronger and more hopes for the future.”
Earlier reports said Trump would seek to terminate some of the ministry programs and send others to different ministries, such as the Treasury.
Trump and his colleagues have accused the ministry of promoting a “woke” political ideology and say the ministry is promoting liberal views on gender and race.
America’s largest trade union recently denounced Trump’s plans, saying that “he is not interested in opportunities for all children”.
In its announcement, AFT said: “AFT has nothing to do with education: no one likes bureaucracy and everyone is in favor of greater efficiency, so let’s find ways to achieve this.
But do not use a “war against the Woke agenda” to attack children living in poverty and children with disabilities to pay for coupons and billionaires. “
Most children in the US attend public schools, which are free and are run by local officials. Almost all of their funding comes from state and local taxes and decisions on curricula are taken by state governments and school regions.