President Ollanta Humala proposed the Pacific Alliance member countries to carry out efforts, in order to increase their budgets set aside for education, so they reach 5% of their GDPs.
Mr. Humala reaffirmed high-quality education is a "tool for development," which should be "open to everyone."
"In this sense, it is important [the Pacific Alliance member] countries commit to increasing public spending on education with the aim of, each day, getting closer to 5% of [their] GDPs. It is a task Peru has already started working on, which comprises [undertaking] efforts and governments [making] political decisions,” he stated.
According to Peru's top official, human capital development represents a challenge to the Pacific Alliance. Therefore, it is necessary to make progress in the initiatives, which lead to accomplishing that goal.
"Our countries are composed of a considerable percentage of the young working-age population; therefore, it is necessary to count on a multitude of professionals related to science, technology and innovation," the President indicated.
"It is not easy to invest in education, but it is extremely profitable. High-quality education should be understood as a State policy, which goes beyond any administration; only this way structural reforms will be strengthened," he added.
Remarks were made on Thursday night during the closing ceremony of the Pacific Alliance Business Summit, which gathered Presidents of Mexico, Enrique Peña Nieto; Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos; and Chile, Michelle Bachelet.
On Friday morning, the Presidents met with the Peruvian government-run Beca 18 beneficiaries. The said program is aimed at granting scholarships to low-income Peruvian families' youngsters.
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