US Education Overhaul: Trump Signs Executive Order To Dismantle Federal Control

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (20 March) signed an executive order aimed at "eliminating" the Department of Education, a longstanding conservative goal to transfer control of schools from the federal government to individual states.

In a ceremonial event held in the East Room of the White House, Trump, surrounded by schoolchildren seated at desks, smiled as he held up the order after signing it.

Trump said the order would "begin eliminating the federal Department of Education once and for all."

"We're going to shut it down and shut it down as quickly as possible. It's doing us no good," Trump said, AFP reported.

"We're going to return education back to the states where it belongs," he added.

Established in 1979, the Department of Education requires congressional approval for complete dissolution.

However, Trump's order could effectively weaken it by cutting off funding and staff.

Fulfilling a major campaign pledge, the move marks one of the most radical changes in Trump’s sweeping government overhaul, executed alongside tech magnate Elon Musk.

The directive instructs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to "take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return education authority to the States."

The decision has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and education advocates.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer denounced the move, calling it a "tyrannical power grab" and "one of the most destructive and devastating steps Donald Trump has ever taken."

Republican leaders, including governors Ron DeSantis of Florida and Greg Abbott of Texas, were in the audience for the signing ceremony.

Justifying the decision, Trump argued that it would cut costs and improve educational standards, which he claimed were falling behind those in Europe and China.

Education has been a contentious issue in the US for decades, with Republicans consistently advocating for state control over federal oversight.

Traditionally, the federal government’s role in education has been minimal, contributing roughly 13 per cent of funding for primary and secondary schools, while states and local authorities provide the rest.

Despite its limited funding role, federal support remains crucial for low-income schools, students with special needs, and the enforcement of key civil rights protections.

Trump, alongside his billionaire advisor Musk and Musk’s Department for Government Efficiency (DOGE), has already overseen the dismantling of several government agencies through slashing of programmes and personnel.

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