More controversy as Donald Trump announces Betsy DeVos as education secretary

President-elect Donald Trump has named activist Betsy DeVos as education secretary in his forthcoming cabinet.

DeVos met with Trump in a series of meetings the Republican held at his private golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey over the weekend, to discuss cabinet roles and ideas for his future term.

On Wednesday (23 November), CBS reported DeVos had been offered role in his cabinet as education secretary, becoming the second woman Trump has named in his team, along with South Carolina governor Nikki Haley who was named as US ambassador to the United Nations (UN).

The charter school advocate reportedly accepted the position as soon as she was offered it, on Tuesday 22 November, CNN reported.

"Betsy DeVos is a brilliant and passionate education advocate," Trump said in a statement.

"Under her leadership we will reform the US education system and break the bureaucracy that is holding our children back so that we can deliver world-class education and school choice to all families."

DeVos, a former Michigan Republican Party chair, confirmed her appointment on Wednesday, stating: "The status quo in education is not acceptable.

"Together, we can work to make transformational change that ensures every student in America has the opportunity to fulfil his or her highest potential."

But the choice, much like many of Trump's other appointments, has not been without its criticism.

DeVos is the head of the pro-charter school American Federation for Children, and has spoken out about Common Core education principles – something Trump vowed to scrap.

She also has close ties to former Florida governor Jeb Bush, and her appointment has been criticised across party lines.

One of the largest teachers' unions in the country, the National Education Association slammed the pick as undermining public education, while anti-common core advocates suggested the pick was strange given Trump's promise to give local schools power over education.

But some, including Jeb Bush, backed the appointment. He said: "(DeVos) has a long and distinguished history championing the right of all parents to choose schools that best ensure their children's success.

"Her allegiance is to families, particularly those struggling at the bottom of the economic ladder, not to an outdated public education model that has failed them from one generation to the next."