Over $6 billion in US after-school literacy grants withheld by Trump administration

India Today

a day ago

The Trump administration has placed a hold on more than $6 billion in federal education funding, leaving thousands of schools, day camps, and community organisations uncertain about the future of their programmes. The freeze affects grants designated for after-school and summer programmes, English language learning, adult education, teacher training, and more.According to officials, the funding pause is part of a review process to ensure that the grants align with President Trump's policy priorities. However, the delay—announced just before the July 1 disbursement deadline—has alarmed educators, parents, and lawmakers.advertisementWith no timeline given for when or if the funds will be released, schools and nonprofits are scrambling to plan for the upcoming academic year and to keep ongoing summer activities afloat.
Organisations like the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, which depend on these grants to serve low-income families, warn that programs may be forced to shut down mid-season. 'If these funds are blocked, the fallout will be swift and devastating,' said Jim Clark, the group's president. As many as 926 club sites could be at risk of closure, impacting more than 220,000 children.In Alabama's Gadsden City Schools, officials say they will be forced to cancel their after-school programmes for over 1,200 students unless the funding resumes. 'We have no alternative to make up for the loss,' said Janie Browning, director of the programme. She emphasised that these programmes provide more than supervision—they keep children safe and offer critical academic and emotional support while parents work.advertisementThe funding freeze has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) urged the administration to release the money, stating that every day of delay puts school districts in a position where they must consider layoffs and cutbacks rather than student success.WHAT'S AT STAKE?The grants under review include:21st Century Community Learning Centres: The primary federal funding source for after-school and summer learning, supporting over 10,000 programs across the country.$2 billion for professional development and class-size reduction for teachers$1 billion for academic enrichment, such as science, math, and accelerated learning$890 million for English language learners$376 million to support education for children of migrant workers$715 million for adult literacy initiativesThese programmes represent more than 20% of federal K–12 education funding in the District of Columbia, according to the Learning Policy Institute. In large states like California and Texas, hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding are now in limbo.Critics fear that this freeze is a precursor to eliminating the programs altogether, as Trump's proposed 2026 budget seeks to eliminate many of these grants entirely.Advocates like Jodi Grant of the Afterschool Alliance warn that the freeze could have long-lasting consequences, not only for families but also for the broader economy. 'Withholding these funds jeopardises learning, employment, and essential support systems for communities across the country,' she said.advertisementAs of now, the Department of Education maintains that no final decisions have been made, and questions have been referred to the Office of Management and Budget, which has yet to respond. Meanwhile, schools and families continue to wait, facing increasing uncertainty and the potential collapse of vital support services.(With AP inputs)- EndsMust Watch