The Puerto Rico Teachers Association (AMPR) warned Tuesday that, if the promised president’s cuts were completed Donald Trump The Public Education System in Puerto Rico – which has $ 2,437 million in federal funds -, the services of school canteens and Special Educationas well as the maintenance of schools, among other areas.
“A huge burden would be imposed on the state government, which would have to look for how to maintain the essential services that would be impacted”Said the president of the AMPR, Víctor García Bonilla, At a press conference in front of the Montessori School Manuel Elzaburu and Vizcarrondo, in Cantera, San Juan.
As one of his first actions on his return to White HouseTrump assigned the billionaire Elon Musk The search to reduce and/or transfer programs of the Federal Education Department. The US president also assured, from his campaign, that he wishes to eliminate dependence, to which unions such as AMPR oppose.
García Bonilla estimated that about 50% of the Fiscal Year’s Budget 2024-2025 of the Department of Education-as much as $ 4,099 million-in Puerto Rico depends on the federal government. In addition, he acknowledged that Trump promoted measures could cause the local government to justify the closure of schools with low registration to comply with federal intentions to cut.
When evaluating the budget of the Department of Education, the AMPR warned that federal items would be in danger to operating expenses ($ 1,890 million); Subsidies, incentives and donations ($ 52 million); Special Education ($ 150 million); School canteens ($ 157 million); Vocational education ($ 20 million); Adult education ($ 19 million); Technological Institute ($ 4 million); and school maintenance ($ 141 million), among others.
The AMPR joined the “Action Day to protect our children”, organized by the American Federation of Teachers In opposition to Trump’s “devastating” policies, especially participating in special education programs throughout the nation.
“We call for parents, students, teachers, members of school communities and citizens in general to contact and press the governor Jenniffer González Colón and the resident commissioner, Pablo José Hernándezwho is our representative in the Federal Congress, to that both demands President Trump not to put these devastating plans for our public education in force ”Garcia Bonilla urged.
The new day requested and awaited for a reaction from the Secretary of Education, Eliezer Ramos Paréswho, according to the AMPR, is preparing a report requested by the Fiscal Supervision Board.
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