The U.S. Department of Education is planning to cut about half of its workforce as the Trump administration works to reduce the size of the federal government.
The mass layoffs will affect approximately 2,100 people who will be placed on leave from March 21.
Trump has long sought to eliminate the department, an early demand of some conservatives, but such a move would require approval from Congress.
The department, which has an annual budget of about $238 billion, employs more than 4,000 people. Founded in 1979, the department oversees funding for public schools, administers student loans and runs programs that help low-income students.
A relatively small percentage of funding for elementary and secondary schools — about 13% — comes from federal funds. The majority comes from states and local groups.
The agency also plays an important role in administering and overseeing federal student loans used by millions of Americans to pay for higher education.
"As part of the Department of Education's ultimate mission, the department today initiated a force reduction affecting nearly 50% of the department's workforce," a statement from Education Secretary Linda McMahon said Tuesday.
She said the cuts would affect all divisions in the department and were made to "better serve students, parents, educators and taxpayers."
The agency had 4,133 employees when Trump was sworn into office, and after the cuts, 2,183 people will remain.
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