President Donald Trump has signed a presidential decree aimed at dismantling the Ministry of Education, saying that the federal institution has failed to improve the quality of education in the United States despite considerable investments. According to him, the low results of students in reading and mathematics testify to a failure of the current education system.
Trump pleads for education management to return to states rather than federal government. During the signature ceremony, several Republican governors were present alongside students, illustrating the support of part of the conservative camp on this initiative.
However, the complete abolition of the ministry requires the approval of the congress, where a bipartisan vote is essential. Trump recognized this difficulty and expressed the hope of reaching a consensus between Republicans and Democrats.
Pending a legislative decision, the administration has already started to reduce the staff of the ministry and plans to transfer some of its missions to other federal agencies. Certain programs, such as students’ loans, should however remain in place in the short term.
To carry out this reform, Trump appointed Linda McMahon to the position of Secretary of Education. Its main mission is to simplify administrative structures and limit bureaucracy. This policy arouses great opposition, in particular from several Democratic prosecutors who dispute the legality of the measures taken to weaken the ministry.
