Obama Plan Calls for Education-Funding Boost, Says Republican Budget is "Backwards"

U.S. President Barack Obama sits on stool while speaking at Cascade High School in Iowa (Photo : Reuters)

Today, in an effort to decrease student-to-teacher ratios, President Obama compelled Congress to allocate billions of dollars towards America's education system.  

The White House's budget includes $25 billion in funds for educational aid, a measure to reduce teacher layoffs and unemployment.  The White House reports that 300,000 teaching positions have been lost since 2009, increasing the student-to-teacher ratio by 4.6%.

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According to the Guardian, average class sizes have also climbed to 16 in 2010, in contrast with 2008's 15.3.

The president's request starkly contrasts to the Republican budget, which calls for a cut of $3 billion from education grants.

Obama denounced the Republicans' financial plan, stating "That's backwards, that's wrong. That plan doesn't invest in our future. It undercuts our future."

Regarding the implications of the GOP's plan, Obama argues that it would result in "fewer teachers in the classroom, and fewer college students with access to financial aid, all to pay for massive new tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires."

Obama's message is very much in line with his campaign slogan that every American should pay their "fair share" and that investment is essential for the future of the United States.

The battle between the Democratic belief in investment and the Republican values of austerity rages on.

Reflecting on the nation's future, Obama says that "If we want America to lead in the 21^st century, nothing is more important than giving everyone the best education possible -from the day they start preschool to the day they start their career."