Teachers group warns about dismantling of US Education Dept.

Puerto Rico Teachers Association President Víctor M. Bonilla Sánchez

By The Star Staff

The U.S. Supreme Court ruling giving the green light to President Donald Trump’s plan to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and lay off nearly 1,400 employees will have dire consequences for Puerto Rico public schools, the Puerto Rico Teachers Association (AMPR by its initials in Spanish) warned on Tuesday.

“We strongly condemn this irresponsible and dangerous decision that directly attacks the right to a quality public education,” AMPR President Víctor M. Bonilla Sánchez said. “This action not only undermines access to essential services but also represents a direct assault on our most vulnerable communities.”

The Supreme Court’s decision allows the administration to move forward with dismantling the Department of Education, which was one of Trump’s campaign promises (see related story on page 5). The high court issued its ruling on Monday, with three liberal justices dissenting.

“There is no longer room for lukewarm statements or inaction. It is time for urgent local action to protect our students from the direct impact of this decision,” Bonilla Sánchez said. “The AMPR has been vocal in denouncing this dismantling plan since the beginning of the Trump administration, and we are now starting to see its effects. Government silence is not an option.”

Since March 4, the AMPR has been one of the leading organizations in the U.S. commonwealth opposing the Trump administration’s policies aimed at dismantling the federal Education Department and highlighting the devastating impact this will have on the island education system’s budget, as well as on the essential services that directly benefit students.

“Now it is the responsibility of the Department of Education and its secretary to develop an urgent and transparent plan to reduce reliance on federal funds and ensure that any future funding cuts do not jeopardize our education system,” the AMPR president said.

The island Education Department had not answered requests for comment as of press time.