US education department plans to cut half its workforce
The U.S. Department of Education plans to cut half of its workforce as the Trump administration works hard to cut the size of the federal government.
Large-scale layoffs will affect nearly 2,100 people on leave starting from March 21.
Trump has long tried to eliminate the department, a long-term goal of some conservatives, but such action will require Congressional approval.
The department has an annual budget of about US$23.8 billion (£188 million) and has more than 4,000 employees.
Founded in 1979, Departmental supervision Provide funding for public schools, manage student loans and run programs that help low-income students.
A common misconception is that it offers American schools and sets courses in the United States and local areas.
Of the funds for primary and secondary schools, relatively small funds (about 13%) come from federal funds. Most are composed of state and local groups.
The agency also plays a major role in managing and overseeing federal student loans used by millions of Americans to pay for higher education.
“As part of the Ministry of Education’s final mission, the department initiated force today that affects nearly 50% of the workforce,” said a statement from Education Minister Linda McMahon.
She said the cuts will affect all departments of the department and become “better serve students, parents, educators and taxpayers.”
The department’s announcement said the agency had 4,133 employees when Trump was sworn in. It has the smallest employees of all 15 U.S. cabinet-level agencies.
After the layoffs, 2,183 people will be left behind, including hundreds who retired or accepted the acquisition plan earlier this year.
Notifications to employees say all fired persons will continue to receive normal salary and benefits until June 9, as well as severance or retirement salary based on their time in the department.
The email noted: “The Ministry of Education will continue to provide all statutory programs that fall under the authority of the institution, including formula funds, student loans, Pell grants, funding for students with special needs, and funding that is competitively granted.”
The report shows that Trump has considered signing an executive order to influence the Education Department, although he has not done so yet.
Several of his execution orders encountered lawsuits, with Trump’s sharp decline in institutions across Washington.
Several lawsuits also filed actions by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a team aimed at cutting government spending led by Elon Musk. The agency has installed representatives at various agencies, cutting employees across the government and accessing data.
The education department said it will use the force reduction process, commonly known as RIF, to reduce staffing levels. When agents need to reorganize, they need to be reorganized due to shortage of funds, lack of staff, insufficient work or reorganization.
The program considers employee tenure, both veterans and performance.
