Peru stands at the crossroads of cultural heritage and economic progress, yet deep inequalities persist. Despite steady growth, about 35.3% of citizens live on less than $8.30 per day, and over 70% work informally¹². The country has broadened educational access and strengthened teacher preparation, but rural and Indigenous regions continue to lag behind³. Roughly 60% of schools lack essential infrastructure, digital tools, or adequate learning materials, underscoring the uneven quality of education nationwide⁵⁶
In the heart of the Amazon, Iquitos’s children grow up surrounded by rivers and rainforest, nearly half the population is under 15.⁶ In 2023, the region counted over 24,100 basic education institutions, 80% in rural areas, where access, retention, and learning outcomes remain among the lowest in Peru.⁶ Schools often lack trained bilingual teachers, modern labs, and safe infrastructure, while high-school completion and technical-education access trail behind national averages.⁷ For Iquitos, real progress means recruiting local educators, strengthening intercultural curricula, and expanding inclusive, well-resourced learning environments.⁸
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 Growth Lab, Harvard University
² OECD