Donald Trump argued that if education was managed at the state level, it would give better results. “We spend three times more money on a child than any other country and yet our performance is not good,” he/she said. Trump’s aim is to hand over all responsibilities related to education to the states, so that the influence of the central government on school policies and curriculum can be reduced. In such a situation, let us know whether Trump can really close the Education Ministry.
When was the Ministry of Education created?
In 1979, then President Jimmy Carter established the Department of Education. Teachers union ‘National Education Association’ had been demanding the Department of Education for a long time. Carter had promised to establish it during the election campaign and then he/she also established the Department of Education in 1979. Its establishment centralized different central education programs under one agency, which also strengthened its cabinet-level status.
Can Trump close the Education Ministry?
Even though Donald Trump is advocating closing the Education Ministry. But doing this is not going to be easy for them. Abolishing the Department of Education would require an act of Congress. Also, having 60 votes in the Senate will be very important. Although Donald Trump’s Republican Party has taken control of the Senate, they have less than the required 60 votes. Because of this, the Democratic Party would be needed to shut down the department.
What will be the impact of the closure of the Education Ministry?
Basically, important decisions related to education are taken at the state and local level, but the issues related to loans are taken care of by the federal government i.e. the central government. The Education Department oversees the $1.6 trillion federal student loan program. he/she also makes rules for the colleges. Closing the Education Ministry will definitely have a symbolic impact. No cabinet member will now be able to focus only on the issue of education. The Center will also be stripped of its authority to talk to Americans about the challenges faced by schools.
It would be difficult for the federal government to raise education issues or push for change in schools. The biggest challenge will be how Congress will distribute the work of the Education Ministry. Trump’s Project 2025 states that the work of the ministry will be handed over to other departments. For example, the Treasury Department will handle student loan programs and the Justice Department will handle civil rights law. The biggest impact will be if Congress cuts funding for education programs. It has been said to do this in Project 2025 also.
