Peru’s Ministry of Education announced the approval of an enterprise, “Routes of Solidarity: Rural Bicycles,” that will provide bicycles to children living in rural villages to increase school attendance.
Early trials have shown that students have greatly benefitted from this program: in April, students in the northern province of Lambayeque decreased their journey by more than two hours.
Pilar Appiani, Director of Promotion for Schools, Culture, and Sport, said, “Bikes have reduced the time it takes students to get to educational institutions, which has resulted in improved academic performance as students arrive at class less tired, more clear-headed, and earlier.” Once fully implemented, the program could benefit 100,000 students living in rural areas.
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