Schools must consider the situation of indigenous peoples

“Education systems are not adapted to the socio-economic conditions of poor families, let alone indigenous ones,” says Tarcila Rivera Zea, an award-winning Quechua activist for indigenous rights. 

You consider that education is key to the emancipation of individuals. Are its practices adapted to the needs of indigenous communities? 

Tarcila Rivera Zea: A quality education system should be adapted to the target population, be accessible to all and continuous. It is complex, because the profile of indigenous peoples in my country has long since ceased to be about living in a rural community. It has changed considerably due to the expansion of industrial single-crop farming, land grabbing, mining, logging, and water contamination, etc. Families migrate to the outer fringes of cities where they live in extreme poverty and are reduced to very precarious economic activities. For these people, education cannot play its role unless their socio-economic circumstances are taken into consideration. There are some multicultural, playful, welcoming, and dignified initiatives developed with local actors, but they remain very sporadic. 

What would an adapted national system look like? 

It must first of all identify the living conditions of the people, including the cultural dimension: language, way of life, link with the environment, types of economic activity, etc. Failing this, a standard norm applied from the top down is imposed, which is totally unsuitable for the indigenous populations, who often find it traumatic. There is strong evidence of school dropout among the poor: they do not always see how school is going to be useful to them in their environment. Education is key to seizing opportunities. Its non-appropriation hinders the potential development of young indigenous people, especially girls, and their inclusion in their country’s society. 

What is the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic? 

Increased barriers to accessing education! Lockdown and distance learning require an internet connection, a computer, or a mobile phone… Families make sacrifices to keep their children in contact with the school. What is the relevance of distance learning for families who lack clean water and food and who are asked to stand in for teachers?