I'm not disagreeing with you (I don't know enough about the department's operations), but I can understand why people are unhappy with the ED (Department of Education). It has existed for almost 40 years, and has spent tens (sometimes hundreds) of billions of dollars annually.

The result: Well, most Americans' reading level, as highlighted in this post. Also, a shocking number of people can't even name a single country in Africa – a big continent with more than 50 countries to choose from. Also, college borrowers in the US owe ~$1.5 trillion to the ED.

Should the ED be abolished? Honestly, I'm way to ignorant to even make an educated guess. But after so many decades, hundreds of billions of dollars spent, and $trillions of debt owed by students, it doesn't seem unreasonable to think that something should at least change.