He Ministry of Education reported this Tuesday that a fire in the Local Educational Management Unit (UGEL) of Condorcanqui (Amazonas) destroyed files corresponding to administrative disciplinary processes on complaints of sexual assaults against Awajun studentssome of whom contracted the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
According to the official statement, between 2010 and 2024, complaints were filed against hired and appointed teachers for these abuses. Of those reported, 112 were removed and 4 were temporarily dismissed. “However, in June 2020, the UGEL suffered a fire that caused the loss of files, which corresponded to […] other complaints,” the portfolio stated.
The portfolio, chaired by Minister Morgan Quero, also reported that a specialized commission traveled to Condorcanqui on May 28 after The Republic make public a report sent to the UGEL of this town by the president of the Awajún Women’s Council, Rosemary Pioc Tena.
According to that document, in the last 14 years, 524 cases of sexual violence committed by teachers against schoolchildren were recorded in the districts of Cenepa, Nieva, Santiago, Imaza, Datem and Nauta. The highest percentage of attacks occurred in schools with student residences, with evidence of HIV infection in minors in Cenepa and Nieva.
In accordance with Health with Magnifying Glass, Condorcanqui It is the province that has the largest Amazonian indigenous population by number of inhabitants in the entire country and is a locality of special interest for the Ministry of Health, since its Awajún population, the second largest indigenous people in the Peruvian Amazon, presents a High HIV prevalence (percentage of people with the virus).
While the national prevalence is 0.3%, in this group it is 1.8%. Condorcanqui It is also among the seven poorest provinces in the country according to the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI). Between 2019 and 2021, 27 people with HIV died, although due to underreporting of cases, it is estimated that the numbers are actually much higher.
The information collected by the association shows that, of the 90 students evaluated at the Ciro Alegría school, eight tested positive. In addition, they warn that only 25% of cases in this province have access to antiretrovirals. Without these drugs, life expectancy after infection is up to five years.
In dialogue with the newspaper, Pioc denounced the Ministry of Education ignored the reports and described them as an exaggeration. “I have received complaints from teachers who, in exchange for sanitary napkins, request sexual relations from female students.” […] From his desk in Lima he will not find cases because many do not know the system, there is no electricity or internet there. How are they going to make complaints? If you go to the context, you will find a number of cases,” he questioned.
In response, the ministry reported “it has assigned a new work commission that, for 30 days, will work in the area to maintain dialogue and permanent accompaniment to the Awajún communities, in order to provide the support and comprehensive assistance that the victims require.” ”.
In addition, he convened an intersectoral commission with the participation of several ministries and the Ombudsman’s Office to support communities, work with survivors, and carry out multi-sector prevention work throughout the province.
