Contribution short abstract:

In the rural communities of the Peruvian Andes, school education is considered a means of social and economic advancement. However, there are discrepancies between the discourse on educational expectations and decisions in a context of unfavorable structural socioeconomic conditions.

Contribution long abstract:

This article examines the expectations and decisions of peasant families regarding education in the peasant community of Huacatinco in the district of Ocongate in the Cusco region (southern Andes of Peru), in a context of accelerated change. Quechua-speaking mothers and fathers use the metaphorical expression ñawiyuq (with eyes) to refer to the education they would like their children to have. The research shows that the greatest aspiration stated by mothers, fathers, and school students is to achieve secondary education; and then to pursue higher education, which, it is hoped, will allow them to obtain employment and economic wellbeing. However, in practice, many young people do not continue with their higher education, opting to work as soon as possible, especially in the informal mining sector. Thus, there is a discrepancy between the discourse on educational expectations and decisions in a context of unfavorable structural socioeconomic conditions.