The Minister of Housing, Construction and Sanitation led the opening ceremony for the 2026 school year at Selmira de Varona School in Piura on March 16. The event brought together more than a thousand students, teachers, local authorities, and families to mark the beginning of classes.
The minister said that the government is committed to providing dignified, safe, and quality education for all children and adolescents in the country. “Lo más importante hoy es el inicio del año escolar. Para el Ejecutivo y para nuestro presidente José María Balcázar, la educación es una prioridad. Ustedes son el presente y el futuro del país, de sus familias y de su región,” he said during his address to students.
He also highlighted that returning to school is not only about resuming lessons but also about strengthening bonds between students, teachers, and families. He said that when children feel supported and safe, they learn with greater confidence and can build better opportunities for their future.
Selmira de Varona School serves 1,043 preschool and primary students who have access to basic services such as drinking water, sewage systems, electricity, and internet. These conditions help ensure a healthy environment that supports student well-being and development.
Across the Piura region, more than 610,000 students are returning to over five thousand schools this year. The government continues working with regional and local authorities to improve educational infrastructure and maintain safe learning spaces for all students.
Nationally, more than six million public school students have returned to classes in over 53,000 schools. The Ministry of Education reported that it has delivered all educational materials needed for the start of the academic year.
