Peru stands at a crossroads between its rich past and a rapidly changing future. While the country has made strides in expanding education and strengthening its economy, around 35.3% of Peruvians still live on less than $8.30 a day, and informal work accounts for more than 70% of jobs¹². Education is nearly universal, with 11 years of compulsory schooling for children ages 6 to 16⁴, yet inequality persists. Only 14% of primary teachers are formally trained, and roughly 60% of schools lack essential infrastructure, digital tools, or learning materials⁵⁶, leaving rural and Indigenous students at a distinct disadvantage despite growing national progress.
Peru’s Andes, where winding trails replace roads, many children walk two to three hours daily just to reach school⁴. Though early childhood education now covers 98.9% nationally, mountain villages still lack facilities for children under five, limiting school readiness⁶. In regions near the Andes, over 40% of rural schools lack proper sanitation or heating, and freezing temperatures often halt classes³. Overcrowding remains severe, with classrooms exceeding 40 students each, reflecting high demand but limited infrastructure investment⁵. For Andean children, access to education is as steep a climb as the mountains they call home.
This summer, HXP builders will partner with local organizations and community members in Peru to address educational needs by constructing additional classrooms for an overcrowded school. Final details on the number of classrooms and students who will benefit are still being confirmed in collaboration with the school.
Sources
¹ OECD
² Edify
³ Young Lives 2025
⁴ Paradigm Press
⁵ UNESCO
⁶ Education Fair