Education

Imagine coming to school one day and finding that your professor did not show up to teach for the day and there were no substitutes. Imagine having your professor just leave the class for 30 minutes without explaining what he/she was doing or where he/she was going. Even imagine professors drinking after school in the director’s office. These things and many more greatly affect the education system in the campo of Peru.

While I was growing up, I took my education for granted. I came to school; everything functioned properly (for the most part) and efficiently. I ended up taking a lot of knowledge away from my years of schooling and had an opportunity to attend college. Part of this is due to the emphasis that is placed on education in the United States. Another part of this is due to my parents’ emphasis on education as well. Unfortunately, none of those things exist here. Even when education is stressed in households, only a select few can afford to attend a university. There only exist two scholarships for each grade which go to the students which receive the best grades of the class. Other than that, financial aid or more scholarships do not exist. As one can see, the lack of access to education and the lack of importance placed on education results in a poverty trap. The vast majority of the students graduating this year from high school will end up hanging around town and working in the chacra. A select few will seek work in Arequipa but without a college education under their belt. An even more select few, 2 or 3, will attend college but will most likely not return to their hometown. So, Lari will not reap the benefits of those who attend university.

It appears to be a rather grim situation for most campo towns in Peru and it is. Right now the school year is coming to a close. By the end of this week most kids will be done with school and out working in the chacra alongside their parents. Unfortunately, parents do not understand the importance of an education. Some do understand, like my host dad. However, even if they do understand, the parents lack the resources to send their kids off to college in the big city.
I hope to try to change the way things work in education here before I leave. I’m hoping to start a program next year which is almost like a guidance counselor program for the students. As of now, the students are provided zero guidance as far as what to do after high school. Furthermore, even if they had the desire to go to college, there is no information regarding their options as far as colleges or information regarding how to prepare for the entrance exam. I hope to augment those resources. In addition, I hope to provide guidance to those who are planning on searching for jobs in Arequipa right after high school. These students lack various skills including how to exactly search for a job and how to create a resume. Also, we are hoping to bring some professionals in from Arequipa to speak to the students about what is involved in becoming a doctor, dentist, etc. and what the job is like. Those are my ambitious plans. However, I do live in the campo of Peru, which most likely will hinder my plans greatly