US Department of Education lays off 1,300 employees, cuts workforce by 50% – The Times of India

There are discussions about layoffs at the US Department of Education. As reported by The Guardian, the department recently announced the layoff of 1,300 employees on Tuesday. US Education Secretary Linda McMahon described this move as a significant step toward restoring the greatness of the country’s education system.
McMahon posted a series of tweets stating that the Department of Education has initiated a reduction in force, impacting nearly 50% of its workforce. She tweeted:
“As part of the Department of Education’s final mission, the Department today initiated a reduction in force (RIF) impacting nearly 50% of the Department’s workforce.”

She further tweeted, “Today’s RIF reflects our commitment to efficiency, accountability, and ensuring that resources are directed where they matter most: to students, parents and teachers. I appreciate the work of the dedicated public servants and their contributions to the Department. This is a significant step toward restoring the greatness of the United States education system.”

The Guardian reports that after the most recent round of layoffs, the department’s task force will be reduced to roughly half of its previous 4,100 employees. According to the department, an additional 572 employees have already accepted ‘voluntary resignation opportunities and retirement’ over the past seven weeks. The newly laid-off employees will be placed on administrative leave at the end of next week.
The agency will continue overseeing the distribution of federal aid to schools, managing student loans, and overseeing Pell grants. Additionally, the department is terminating leases on buildings in cities such as New York, Boston, Chicago, and Cleveland, officials said, reports The Guardian.
In other news, on Monday, the Department of Education notified 60 universities that they were under investigation for alleged Civil Rights Act violations. The Trump administration classified protests against Israel’s war on Gaza as “antisemitic harassment and discrimination” targeting Jewish students.