Perhaps very few have noticed that throughout his entire election campaign, Trump was seen criticizing the federal education department.
New Delhi: There has been much discussion about the impact of President Donald Trump’s rise to power on stopping wars worldwide, economic changes, trade, visas for employment, and relations with India or other friendly countries. However, less attention has been paid to revolutionary changes like the Trump administration’s plan to shut down the US Department of Education. This is particularly significant because, in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is striving to realize the dream of a developed India by implementing the National Education Policy and giving top priority to expanding educational facilities and skill development.
Perhaps very few have noticed that throughout his entire election campaign, Trump was seen criticizing the federal education department. Trump has proposed a plan to change the American education system. He talks about stopping the rising college fees and the propagation of left-wing ideology. Meanwhile, in India, when the Modi government talks about curbing institutions that spread communist ideologies, it faces opposition.
Trump claims that the accreditation system has led to the dominance of Marxist ideology in colleges. The job of the accreditation system is to measure the quality of colleges. Trump wants to replace the current accreditors with new ones. The new accreditors will focus on American values, freedom of expression, and career orientation. Trump believes this will increase accountability in colleges, reduce costs, and make degrees more affordable.
With the formation of the new government, he has entrusted the responsibility of the Department of Education to Linda McMahon, former CEO of the World Wrestling Entertainment and a professional wrestler. There’s no doubt that conquering the field of education is a challenge greater than that of any wrestling world champion. On the other hand, the long-term impact on nearly 1.2 million foreign students, including about 350,000 Indian students, in US educational institutions is also not insignificant.
In America, education is primarily under the control of the states—each state is in charge of its school system, not the federal government. But Donald Trump’s election victory has stirred up concern among parents, teachers, and education experts. During his campaign, the President-elect promised to eliminate the US Department of Education and threatened to cut funding for schools that explore issues like racism or recognize students’ transgender identities.
Abolishing the Accreditation System: Donald Trump wants to remove “radical left” accreditors. He alleges that these accreditors are filling young American minds with wrong ideas and not holding colleges accountable. He wants to bring in accreditors who emphasize traditional American values.
Trump wants to strengthen freedom of expression in colleges. This would be a significant criterion for accreditation. Trump claims that freedom of expression is being suppressed in colleges and universities.
Donald Trump refers to discussions on diversity, equality, and inclusion as Marxist’. He states that these are increasing educational costs. The President has promised to eliminate these positions, thereby reducing expenses. Donald Trump wants an education system where students can obtain degrees quickly and cheaply, making college education accessible to everyone.
To ensure that educational values reach students, Trump wants to make examinations mandatory for college admission and completion. This will show whether students have truly learned something and received a good education.
Trump will direct the Department of Justice to take action against colleges that practice “racial discrimination”, particularly in the name of “equality”.
The President wants colleges to improve job placement and career services. Trump asserts that institutions funded by taxpayers’ money have a duty to help students secure good jobs.
Despite campaign promises, due to constitutional reasons, even the President of the United States cannot easily abolish a department. Trump would need Congress’s support. In the Senate, at least 60 Senators would need to vote in favour of elimination with a “super-majority”. Currently, Republicans hold a majority of 53 seats, so they would also need votes from Democrats, which are unlikely to be forthcoming.
He believes that students should also be taught the values of patriotism. Trump has accused that currently, students are being educated under Marxist ideology. Trump also wants to take actions against colleges that practice racial discrimination under the guise of equality. He wants to impose fines and taxes on such colleges.
Behind the changes in the education system, Donald Trump wants colleges to be helpful in securing jobs for students, ensuring employment after education.
The Department of Education makes important decisions related to education. Therefore, its closure would first result in all education-related decisions being made at the state and local levels. Although to some extent, this is already the case, one of the most crucial tasks is related to loans, which is handled by the federal Department of Education.
The Department of Education also manages the $1.6 trillion Federal Student Loan Program. Not only that, it regularly establishes rules and regulations for colleges and universities. The funds received from the Department of Education are also used for further training of teaching staff and to assist students with special needs. Hence, the closure would impact all these activities. Donald Trump once expressed concern that Americans spend three times more money per child than any other country, yet their children’s performance is not as good. He wants to make these changes to address this issue.
In India, between 2014 and 2024, there was a 78% increase in the higher education budget, while the school education budget increased by 40%. The budget for 2025-26 provides for even more expenditure. In 2022, the PM Schools for Rising India scheme was launched by the Prime Minister with the aim of transforming 14,500 existing schools into “model schools” that embody the core vision of the New Education Policy.
The new education system is moving from a degree-focused system to one that emphasizes capabilities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said, “India is a country endowed with people naturally gifted for innovation, but the pool of talent should not be judged solely on the basis of degrees. There is a need to promote skill-based education, research, and entrepreneurship. We must build a culture that moves from degrees to capabilities.”
The New Education Policy emphasizes multidimensional learning. Research has tripled among our students and faculty based on this policy. The goals of our policies and institutions are aligned. The focus on practical engagement between government and industry in the New Education Policy will enhance scholarship and prepare students for real-life challenges.