The educational challenge of 2024: New courses to educate conscious citizens

A new School Year will start in 2024 amid a heatwave that conditions the start date of in-person classes in schools in several regions of Peru. However, March is presented as the official month in which millions of children and adolescents will begin to learn various contents after the incorporation of new courses in the National Curriculum of Regular Basic Education (EBR) was declared of national interest starting this academic year. With the aim of strengthening the education of young people and preparing them to face the challenges of the current world, the Ministry of Education (Minedu) has determined the inclusion of four new courses that will seek to educate active and conscious citizens from an early age. These courses are Financial and Tax Education, Accounting, Economics, and Consumer Rights. According to Law 31900, approved by the Congress of the Republic and subsequently promulgated by the Government, these curricular contents must be taught in private and state schools starting from the School Year 2024. The purpose of this measure is to provide students with tools and knowledge that allow them to better navigate the workplace and social environment. It is important to highlight that the implementation of these new courses will not imply an increase in study hours, but rather seeks to prioritize the quality and relevance of the information provided to students. According to Miriam Ponce, head of Minedu, the inclusion of these contents responds to the need to educate citizens with a comprehensive and conscious vision of their rights and responsibilities in society. Financial education, accounting, economics, and consumer rights are fundamental knowledge in shaping individuals capable of navigating an increasingly complex and demanding environment. With the enactment of Law 31900, the Government has laid the foundations for a more comprehensive education that meets the current needs of the student population. As the official start of classes in Peru approaches, it is essential for educational institutions to prepare for the implementation of these new courses. Minedu, in coordination with educational authorities, will need to establish the necessary guidelines and mechanisms to ensure the proper incorporation of these contents into the school curriculum. The School Year 2024 represents an opportunity to enrich the education of Peruvian students and provide them with the necessary tools for their personal and professional development. With the inclusion of Financial and Tax Education, Accounting, Economics, and Consumer Rights in the National Curriculum of the EBR, it is expected to educate a generation of informed and committed citizens to their environment. The challenge now lies in the correct implementation of these courses, ensuring that teachers are properly trained and that students can effectively assimilate the knowledge imparted. Education is the foundation of a prosperous and equitable society, and the inclusion of these new courses is a step in the right direction towards a more comprehensive and relevant education for young Peruvians.