The flawless of an education system: Peru goes beyond Lima
Peru is a country characterized by diverse cultures, traditions, and regions. However, it is this diversity that makes the implementation of education programs a complex problem. From coastal regions passing through highlands to the Amazon jungle, Peru harbors diverse villages located in remote areas where students do not have proper access to education. As a Peruvian, I have perceived a tendency to promote and improve educational programs in populated cities like Lima, Arequipa, or Trujillo. However, if we only improve the quality of education in central regions like Lima (Peruvian Capital), are we not contributing to the increase of education disparity in Peru? Following this logic, the primary source methods utilized in my research would be personal experience reflections and interviews. In other words, the accuracy of this research relies on people’s first-hand experience with the current educational system in Peru. These anecdotes will provide to you, the reader, a wider perspective on how to tackle “The flawless education-system in Peru,” and how we can contribute to promoting a better education system for the future.
My personal experience is the principal motivation that drives me to conduct this research. As a Peruvian, understanding the reasons behind the deficit of Peruvian education, especially in rural places, is the first step to help Peruvian communities in the future. As someone who has closely observed the reality of various Peruvian villages through several service projects, my perspectives and vivid experiences are the foundation of this research.
During one of my journeys visiting the “Kantati Ururi’’ community located at 5000 meters above the sea in the district of Cojata, it brought to my attention its school-system. Students, from elementary school and high school, walk between 2 to 3 hours to pick radio signals to listen to their educational courses. Due to weather conditions, such as wind or electrical storms, they do not have access to the internet or television signals to access other types of education programs.
During this pandemic, the government promoted content over the internet, radio, and television under the umbrella of “I learn at home,” an education program that seeks to bring education to all children around Peru. While talking with some children using this program, they lamented: “Es muy difícil estudiar porque no tengo con que.” It is too difficult for them to study and keep track of the program because they have nothing to learn with. Some children do not have access to the internet, radio, or television at home. Some of them have small basic phones that are used to communicate with each other.
Based on these anecdotes several questions arose to me regarding the deficit of a well-structured education system in Peru. Why does the government not incorporate a better education system? Is the Peruvian government aware of these types of realities? What could be possible solutions to this type of problem? How will the lack of an education system affect the prosperity of these communities in the future?
Although, my experience could describe the reality that Peruvian families face concerning flaws of education, interviewing the families affected gives us a better understanding of their situation. Therefore, as a second primary source, I will include interviews with two main sources: professors and low-income rural families who rely on the current educational system. The primary goal of this method is to gather evidence related to the impact of government while combating the problem of education in Peru. Therefore, I want to include teacher’s perspectives regarding how we can overcome the current education situation in Peru, possible solutions, the impact of Education on children, the shortage of teachers in public schools, and the driving motivations that keep teachers pursuing their careers. In the case of Peruvian families, I would like to know how they perceive the future of their children will be like? How has the education program imposed by the government impacted their lives?
My research will use the mentioned sources as tools to strengthen the arguments of Quality of Education. It aims to take you, the reader, on a vivid journey to get a closer perspective about education deficiencies in Peruvian communities.
