Why Donald Trump’s plan to privatize public schools is bad news for the children

Donald Trump has a plan to turn public schools into charter schools that operate for profit.

His proposal would essentially take over the operation of every public school in the United States and, under his watch, the public schools would be turned into for-profit corporations.

The plan, as reported by the Wall Street Journal, would give private corporations access to nearly all public school resources, including instruction, instruction and supplies, teacher salaries, textbooks, school uniforms, computers, music equipment, equipment for teachers and even the equipment to repair and maintain the equipment.

According to the Journal, the plan would be a “strategic step toward privatization.”

Under Trump’s proposed plan, for-profits would own and operate schools and would provide the infrastructure and materials to run them. 

“The federal government should not be involved in the operations of these schools.

Private companies should be able to provide services, equipment, and materials,” Trump said in a statement on Tuesday.

“The Trump Administration will not allow this to happen, and will not privatize any of our public schools.

I am very confident that this plan will help protect the quality of our schools, as well as the students, teachers, and families of our nation.

The Trump Administration is committed to protecting the quality and safety of the American public school system.”

Trump’s proposal would turn over oversight of the operation and management of schools to the for-private entity Academies Education Corp., which currently manages the K-12 operations of public and charter schools in 20 states. 

Trump’s plan has drawn strong opposition from educators and parents who fear it will privatize the schools.

“It is unconscionable to give the federal government any responsibility over public education, particularly if the schools themselves are run as for- profit businesses,” John Dolan, president of the National Association of Secondary School Principals, told the Journal.

“We do not have the ability to regulate the schools, nor do we have the right to control what the schools are doing, where they are in the district, and what they say in the schools.” 

The Trump administration has made it clear that they are not interested in making this a reality. 

According to a White House press release, the administration is not proposing to privatise the schools or shut them down.

“In fact, the Administration is actively supporting charter schools, which are now the largest source of private investment in K-6 schools nationwide,” the release states.

“While the Trump Administration opposes the elimination of public education as we know it, it will work to ensure that public schools continue to operate in a way that ensures all children receive quality, diverse learning opportunities.”