Peruvian children are expected to attend at
least one year of preschool from the age of five, and
have since eleven years of compulsory schooling. The
standard is relatively low in the e-tax-free state
schools. Especially in the countryside there is a
shortage of both educated teachers, schools and
The first part of the school system consists of the
preschool, which is accessible from the age of three and
compulsory for five year olds.
Offers a list of biggest cities in the state of Peru, including the capital
city which hosts major colleges and universities.
Country facts of Peru, including geography profile, population statistics, and business data.
The children start regular school at the age of six.
It starts with a six-year stage. After that, school year
seven and eight will follow, as everyone is still
reading the same syllabus. For the past three years,
students choose one of two tracks: a technical and a
more academic orientation. Both are college preparatory.
Almost all children go to the first stage, but around
a quarter have dropped out during the last one. Dropouts
are most common in rural areas where children are needed
for other chores. However, the situation has clearly
improved compared to the time around the turn of the
millennium. The reason is the expansion of secondary
In Peru there are many universities and colleges,
most of which are private. The University of San Marcos
in Lima was founded in 1551 and is thus the oldest in
South America. Poor students can receive scholarships to
study at the university.
Reading and writing skills have steadily increased in
recent years, but there are major differences between
the city and the countryside as well as between men and
FACTS - EDUCATION
Proportion of children starting primary
95.4 percent (2017)
Number of pupils per teacher in primary
Reading and writing skills
94.2 percent (2016)
Public expenditure on education as a
percentage of GDP
18.1 percent (2017)
Public expenditure on education as a
percentage of the state budget
18.1 percent (2017)
Government crisis averted
President Kuczynski gets a clear sign from Fujimori that her party FP will
continue to informally support the government. FP has so far voted in favor of
the government's proposal in Congress, including the budget for 2017, but the
cooperation was jeopardized by an FP motion in early December aimed at the
Minister of Education. Formally, the issue involved preparations for the
Pan-American Games in Athletics to be held in Lima in 2019, but was interpreted
as a way to try to prevent plans for rule changes for private universities. Many
FP members have large investments in such universities and the issue risked
leading to a vote of confidence for the entire government. However, Kuczynski
chose not to fight and Education Minister Jaime Saavedra resigned, after which
the FP can continue to support the government.
UN appointment halted after protest storm
The UN agency FAO is forced to back down and postpone the appointment of a
Geneva office, which would go to ex-President Humala's wife Nadine Heredia.
Information that Heredia would be prosecuted while entering the service has
triggered a scream in Peru, as the couple is suspected of extensive money
Humala is suspected of money laundering and bribery
A court orders former President Ollanta Humala to stay in the country and
report to the court once a month, while allegations of money laundering and
bribery are being investigated. His wife Nadine Heredia was banned from leaving
the country in June. Both are suspected of having laundered the equivalent of $
1.5 million in money that should have gone to his election campaigns in 2006 and
2011 (see October 2015).
Former security and army commanders convicted
Former spy chief Vladimir Montesinos and former army chief Nicolás Hermoza
are both sentenced to 22 years in prison for the murder of two students and
their teachers in 1993. Both men already serve prison sentences for, among other
things, murders committed by death patrols. The Army's former intelligence chief
Jorge Nadal is also sentenced to 15 years in prison for his absence.
Kuczynski takes over as president
In his speech at the inauguration, new President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski talks
about his "social revolution" with the hope that during his five-year term, Peru
will become a "more modern, fairer and more equal" society. He does not get an
easy match with the weak support he has in Congress, if the behavior of the FP
members is something to go for: they do not applaud but instead shout recurring
Keiko Fujimori's name. However, FP has given contradictory signals about its
willingness to cooperate. Kuczynski has previously presented the businessman and
former Finance Minister Fernando Zavala as the new Chief Minister.
Zika alert in the north
The authorities issue a special health warning that lasts for three months in
the northern half of the country due to the Zika virus. To date, 102 people in
Peru have been confirmed to be infected by the virus, including 34 pregnant
women. In Brazil, nearly 1,600 children have been born with birth defects since
their mothers were infected by the virus, which is mainly spread through
Kuczynski wins in decisive election round
It becomes very even in the crucial second round of the presidential
election. Only after four days can Pedro Pablo Kuczynski claim victory, having
received 50.1 percent of the votes against 49.9 for Keiko Fujimori.
Left candidate supports Kuczynski
Left candidate Verónika Mendoza urges voters to vote against Fujimori in the
second round of the presidential election. "The only way to prevent Fujimorism
is to vote for PPK," she says in a statement aimed at Pedro Pablo Kuczynski,
Fujimori's opponent. The left can thus be said to support the right to keep
Fujimorism away from power.
Secretary General of Fujimori's party is nominated for money laundering
15th of May
TV channels in the United States and Peru report that FP Secretary General
Joaquín Ramírez is under investigation by the US drug agency DEA. He is said to
have laundered $ 15 million in favor of Keiko Fujimori, in connection with the
2011 election. The indictment is troublesome for Fujimori who is trying to
convince voters that she is indomitable and a true Democrat, despite the fact
that Fujimorism for many voters is almost synonymous with corruption and
authoritarian rule. The charges against Ramírez lead to him being replaced.
Success for Fujimori in presidential and congressional elections
In the presidential election, a first round of elections is held where the
result that is expected is that Fujimori and Kuczynski move on to a second
round. She gets 40 percent of the vote and he 21 percent. Third place left
candidate Verónika Mendoza with 19 percent. In the Congress, Fujimori's People's
Force (FP) gets 73 of the 130 seats, thus securing its own majority. The Broad
Front (FA) receives 20 seats, Peruvians for Change (PPK) 18, Progress Alliance
(APP) 9, Public Action (AP) 9 and PAP / Apra 5 mandates.
Several dead in guerrilla attack
Eight soldiers and two civilians are killed when rebels attack a shipment of
election materials and people to guard polling stations, in the Junín region of
central Peru. In another attack in Apurímac, two soldiers are killed.
Big protest against Fujimori
Tens of thousands of Peruvians demonstrate against the leading presidential
candidate Keiko Fujimori, on the anniversary of the constitutional coup her
father Alberto Fujimori conducted in 1992. Many say they fear that Keiko
Fujimori will pardon her father if she becomes president.
Criticism against the electoral authority
The United States Organization (OAS) has been criticizing the electoral
authority since nearly half of the candidates ahead of Sunday's election have
been suspended or withdrawn themselves. One reason is a new electoral law that
was adopted in January and has led to the disqualification of several
candidates. Although only days remain until the election, the charges against
Pedro Pablo Kuczynski are not dismissed. He, like Keiko Fujimori, is accused of
distributing cash grants and gifts during his election campaign. Both are
considered leading candidates.
Fujimori may take part in the elections
The Election Authority states that the accusations of voting against Keiko
Fujimori do not disqualify her from participating.
Two presidential candidates suspended
Neither Julio Guzmán nor César Acuña are allowed to take part in the
elections, the highest election authority JNE states. Guzmán's party has not
properly nominated its candidate, according to JNE, while Acuña is accused of
distributing cash grants to voters. Guzmán, who sailed second in February in
opinion polls, accuses JNE employees of going "Fujimorism" affairs (see
Political system) and of being afraid of being exposed to corruption. Acuña
accepts the decision. Many Peruvians are upset about the outcome, which means
that voters' choices in the elections are limited because of what many consider
to be technicalities, at least in the case of Guzmán.
Many candidates in the presidential election
When the time comes to register for the April presidential election, some 20
candidates have signed up. Leading the polls is Keiko Fujimori, who lost with
little margin to incumbent President Ollanta Humala in 2011. She is followed by
Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, César Acuña and the two former presidents Alan García and