Challenges for higher education in Peru during the COVID-19 pandemic

This essay describes and reflects on the experience of higher education in the context of the public health emergency resulting from COVID-19 and declared from March 2020 to the present. The closure of university settings has created considerable challenges for students and teachers nationwide. In this context, virtual education was implemented, in order to reduce infections and also to ensure the continuity of studies for young people. Virtual education brought about changes, most of which were forced and unplanned; however, they have also constituted an opportunity for the implementation of learning platforms and technologies. Based on a review and analysis of the scientific literature, this paper discusses the implications for students and teachers of this new virtual education scenario in Peru.