Gingrich and Trump Unveil 'Apprentice' Program for Students
Newt Gingrich and Donald Trump have come together to form an “Apprentice”-style program for students in poor schools.
The program was announced after a meeting between the two on Monday, just days after Gingrich issued statements condemning child-labor laws.
In a speech at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Gingrich said: “It is tragic what we do in the poorest neighborhoods, entrapping children in, first of all, child laws, which are stupid.”
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Gingrich proposed getting rid of “unionized janitors, have one master janitor, and pay local students to take care of the school.” His plan has drawn criticism from many, but there are educators who see well in Gingrich’s plan.
“Letting students have jobs in the school is a great way for them to earn some money in a safe environment. College students often do this, and I think high school students could have jobs in the school as long as we realize school and education are more important,” said teacher Lauren Caster.
Gingrich described his new plan of action to NBC: “I’ve asked him [Trump] to take one of the poorest schools in New York, and basically offer at least 10 apprenticeships to kids from those schools.”
Trump told reporters he “thought it was a great idea. We’re going to have a little fun with it, and I think it’s going to be something that is really going to prove results.”
The Gingrich-Trump apprenticeship would specifically target students in poor schools.
“Really poor children, in really poor neighborhoods have no habits of working… They have no habit of staying all day. They have no habit of ‘I do this and you give me cash’ unless it’s illegal,” Gingrich told an audience in Iowa.
Caster, who works in a Title I school, disagreed with these particular statements. Title I schools generally focus on lower-income communities and receive supplemental government funds.
“I work in a Title I school and many of my low-income students have the best work ethic,” said Caster.
