YOURWAY: Artificial Intelligence to Transform Basic Education in Peru
Let me be clear: Peruvian education is in crisis, but — wow! — it's also full of opportunities that we must seize, no more excuses. Today, I want to talk about a tool that could flip the script: artificial intelligence (AI). But not that cold, prompt-driven AI—this one is a warm ally, almost like that teacher who inspired you to become an educator.
1. The YOURWAY AI: A Personal Tutor for Every Child
Picture your classroom like this: an assistant that knows each student better than we do. One that detects when Juanito gets stuck on fractions or when Marisol is bored because she already mastered the topic. That’s how YOURWAY works—like a wise teacher who tailors lessons to each child at the right moment. Isn’t that educational justice in action, delivered right when it’s needed?
AI enables personalized learning, adapting to each student’s pace and style, offering activities, assessments, and resources designed according to their strengths and areas for improvement, all aligned with the National Curriculum. This not only increases motivation and engagement but also promotes deeper, more meaningful learning aligned with the proposed competencies.
2. Stories That Should Give Us Goosebumps
At a school in San Juan de Lurigancho, the AI identified five children who were about to drop out because they didn’t understand math. Today, they’re still in school thanks to timely interventions based on smart data on how to integrate them and help them progress with their peers.
A teacher in Cajamarca shared with me—painfully—how she regained 10 hours a week she used to lose to paperwork. Ten more hours to teach! This is possible because AI automates administrative and assessment tasks, freeing up time for teachers to focus on what matters most: teaching and personalized support.
Children with dyslexia can now learn thanks to virtual assistants that learn with them and adapt content to their special needs. AI thus fosters inclusion and diversity in the classroom, ensuring no student is left behind.
3. Teachers, Pay Close Attention
AI will NEVER replace teachers. It’s a tool that reinforces your work—it doesn’t replace it.
Our children's data must be well protected. Privacy and security are critical to avoid vulnerabilities and ensure ethical use of technology.
And let’s be clear... teachers need more than just technology—they need training. Teacher preparation is key to integrating AI effectively and responsibly in the classroom. We can’t delegate this responsibility; it must be taken on efficiently.
4. A Challenge We Can’t Ignore
Let’s be honest: while other countries move forward, we’re still arguing over basics—for lack of a better word. AI in education isn’t the future—it’s the present, it’s the now. And every day we waste, hundreds of Peruvian children miss out on opportunities.
Are we going to keep looking the other way? Or, as my grandmother from Arequipa would say, “Until when, my children, until when?”
The implementation of YOURWAY artificial intelligence in Peru’s regular basic education system is a unique opportunity to transform our educational model. From personalizing learning, improving teaching and administrative management, to supporting inclusion and identifying dropout risks, AI can be the warm ally we all need.
But to make it happen, we must act with responsibility, ethics, and commitment—training our teachers, protecting student data, and promoting a balanced and human use of technology.
Peru’s education deserves this smart revolution. Are we ready to take the leap?
Raphael Pajuelo Prado is a dynamic leader with over 25 years of experience driving growth and innovation. As CEO of Camino Contigo, he leverages his extensive background in marketing and business development to transform education. His decade-long career leading projects at Santillana, a major publishing house, honed his skills in strategic planning, project management, and team leadership. Passionate about connecting institutions, technology, and learning to create lasting educational impact, he also serves as an Advisor at Dialéctica, Commercial Director at TopDream Entertainment, Social Media Projects Advisor at NGO Perspektiva, and Founder/Director of NGO SAPHI-Emprende Perú. Connect with him at LinkedIn and www.caminocontigo.pe.