FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
April 9, 2025
Contact: Giulia McPherson 
202-765-2248 
gmcpherson@gce-us.org  

Trump Administration Terminates Nearly All International Basic Education Programs 

Washington, D.C. - After conducting a review of U.S. foreign assistance programs terminated by the Trump Administration, the Global Campaign for Education-US (GCE-US) has concluded that the vast majority of international basic education programs have been impacted. The termination of education programs will severely limit access to a quality education for millions of children and youth around the world and harm U.S. national security interests. 

On March 24, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) provided an update to Congress on programming activities including a list of active and terminated programs. The Trump Administration also sent a memo to USAID staff entitled “USAID’s Final Mission,” which outlined a reduction-in-force for USAID staff and a merger of USAID with the State Department, with the State Department assuming all responsibility for USAID’s remaining programming by July 1, 2025.   

While the Trump Administration continues to send termination notices to U.S. Government partners who are implementing U.S. foreign assistance programs, initial lists indicate that a substantial portion of international basic education programs have been terminated.    

As of March 21, 2025, GCE-US believes only four education-related programs remained active: an education program to reduce risks of harm by unexploded ordnances; a scholarship endowment to an American land-grant university; a learning and evaluation program in Yemen; and a program to improve HIV outcomes through health and education. 

To the best of our knowledge, all other programs have been cut, including at least 165 out of a list of 5,341 terminated programs. Specific terminated efforts include: support for education in emergencies; general basic education programs; literacy programs; teacher education programs; early childhood education; efforts to reduce high school dropout rates; support for local ministries of education; peace building through education; education partnerships with large, land-grant universities in America; special education programs for the hearing and visually impaired; and regional education programs.  

Regions and countries impacted include (but are not limited to): Sub-Saharan Africa (Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia); the Middle East (Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria); Asia (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Burma, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines); the Americas and Caribbean (Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Honduras, Paraguay); the Caucuses (Bosnia and Herzegovina,  Kosovo), and Western and Central Asia (Georgia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan). 

GCE-US members and partner organizations have received additional termination notices since April 4, 2025, including programs that were approved as recently as March 31, 2025.    

In FY23, USAID supported 44 million learners through preprimary, primary, secondary, vocational, and workforce development programs. In less than 90 days, most, if not all, of these learners no longer have access to education. 

Basic education programs aren’t just the right thing to do, they are also effective tools to support American strength, security, and prosperity. Research shows that every additional year of education increases earnings by 9 percent later in life; secondary education reduces the risk of conflict by nearly half; and American-run and funded education programs offer a positive first experience with the U.S., positioning the United States as a global leader. 

GCE-US remains committed to monitoring the effects of U.S. government program terminations on international basic education. We actively engage with Congress and the Administration to emphasize the vital role of these initiatives. We urge Secretary Rubio and other key decision-makers to prioritize investments in international education—both in development and humanitarian contexts—in alignment with the Reinforcing Education Accountability in Development (READ) Act. Maintaining U.S. leadership in this crucial geopolitical arena is essential for fostering global stability and progress.