José María Castro

Peruvian educator who pioneered indigenous language education and founded over 300 schools in the Andes

Don José María Castro y González (1840-1912) revolutionized education in Peru through his commitment to Quechua-speaking populations. As Minister of Education (1895-1899), he implemented groundbreaking policies making Quechua an official teaching language and establishing bilingual schools in remote Andean regions. His 1896 educational reform decree mandated schools in every village, resulting in 320 new schools built during his tenure. Castro's educational manuals remain influential, emphasizing practical skills alongside literacy.

He faced opposition from elites who preferred Spanish-only education, but persisted by training indigenous teachers through his Escuela Normal de Maestros. His legacy is visible in modern Peru's bilingual education system, recognized by UNESCO as a model for cultural preservation. The biography El Profesor Castro details his struggles and innovations. Though overshadowed by political figures, Castro's work laid foundations for social mobility among Andean communities, with descendants of his students still advocating for his recognition through initiatives like Centro Cultural José María Castro.