Education & Health
From The Report: Peru 2017
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As the period of contraction of the commodity cycle continues to dampen Peru’s growth prospects, the education sector has become critical to the country’s ability to begin its transition to a knowledge-based economy. In a post-commodity cycle scenario, aligning vocational and technical training with labour market needs is expected to gradually rise to the top of the agenda in the medium term, as efforts to stimulate growth outside of natural resource-based sectors gain momentum. President Kuczynski hopes to expand access, improve quality and modernise Peru’s health system, a task that will demand increased levels of public spending at a time when the government grapples with a slowdown in economic growth. Meanwhile, though the private sector has not been immune to the deceleration of economic growth, the market continues to attract significant investor interest.

This chapter includes interviews with Fernando D’Alessio, Director-General, Centrum Católica Business School, and Carlos Heeren, CEO, University of Technology and Engineering (UTEC)

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Renewed focus: Investment in schools increases as reforms gain momentum
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After nearly two decades of sustained economic growth and stability, Peru’s economy continues to expand. Economic diversification and the introduction of more technology-intensive production processes are now key to enable the country to sustain the growth rates it was able to achieve during its commodity-led boom and avoid what economists call the “middle income trap”. Elected in 2016, Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski has designated education as a key priority. President Kuczynski…

Interview

Fundamental pillars: Fernando D’Alessio, Director-General, Centrum Católica Business School, on investing more in education
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Interview:Fernando D’Alessio Peru currently invests 4% of its GDP into education. How important is it to increase this amount? FERNANDO D’ALESSIO: It is important that government spending on education is increased from 4% to at least 8% of the country’s GDP before the end of 2017, even if this means decreased public investment in other sectors. The two fundamental pillars in the development of any country are education and health. The government should be responsible for the development…

Interview

Modern approach: Carlos Heeren, CEO, University of Technology and Engineering (UTEC), on improving the quality of Peruvian universities
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Interview:Carlos Heeren To what extent is there a need to amend the University Law to guarantee higher quality standards within Peruvian universities? CARLOS HEEREN: University Law reform should aim at improving deeper aspects of the university system in Peru, rather than attempting to regress. The law aims at cleaning up both the system and universities that do not meet quality standards, but it fails to enhance those universities that already meet 21st century standards. In order to do…

Overview

Appetite for health: Expenditure is set to rise as part of efforts to improve access to and quality of services
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Since 2013, Peru’s health sector has been undergoing significant change as the country works to improve a system characterised by fragmentation, decentralisation and limited financing. The ongoing reform of Peru’s health sector has enabled the country to make significant strides to increase coverage and access to health care services among all socio-economic groups. However, with a significant infrastructure gap and substantial human resources shortages, the challenges facing the public…