Summary of Proposed Investment
Project Number
10665
Company Name
Hole-in-the-Wall Education Limited
Date SPI Disclosed
Apr 6, 2001
Country
India
Industry
Health, Education and Life Sciences
Projected Board Date
May 24, 2001
Status
Completed
Sector
Other Training
Department
Regional Industry - MAS Asia & Pac
Environmental Category
C - No Impact
Previous Events
Approved : Jun 26, 2001
Signed : Jul 18, 2001
Invested : Nov 9, 2001
Project Description
Description of the Project
The Hole in the Wall project aims to discover how much poor children in slums and rural areas of India can learn from a web-based curriculum through a purpose-built Internet kiosk. NIIT has recently conducted experiments to determine if illiterate slum children could use the Internet without any instruction. By giving them access to a connected computer, NIIT observed their quick learning abilities and their interest in developing knowledge. The Hole in the Wall project will strive to improve education for poor children with a minimal level of intervention (Minimally Invasive Education). This learning tool ensures equal access to girls.
Development Impact
The proposed project will have a significant developmental impact, as it would help :
- Education, through access to information and access to teaching. Distance learning is a valuable tool in the struggle to overcome resource constraints in developing world education.
- Development of equal learning opportunities for both boys and girls in urban and rural areas of the country. Children from the lowest income families will benefit.
- Make it possible for many children to participate in the global information revolution by providing them access to information which they currently do not have.
IFC Role
Through its participation in this Project, IFC will be able to bring a financial commitment to the development of a sustainable commercial business model. Furthermore, IFC will bring visibility to the pilot phase and to the dissemination of the results. IFC, will also be able to attract other researchers as well as interested grant donors to contribute to the success of this project.
The Hole in the Wall project aims to discover how much poor children in slums and rural areas of India can learn from a web-based curriculum through a purpose-built Internet kiosk. NIIT has recently conducted experiments to determine if illiterate slum children could use the Internet without any instruction. By giving them access to a connected computer, NIIT observed their quick learning abilities and their interest in developing knowledge. The Hole in the Wall project will strive to improve education for poor children with a minimal level of intervention (Minimally Invasive Education). This learning tool ensures equal access to girls.
Development Impact
The proposed project will have a significant developmental impact, as it would help :
- Education, through access to information and access to teaching. Distance learning is a valuable tool in the struggle to overcome resource constraints in developing world education.
- Development of equal learning opportunities for both boys and girls in urban and rural areas of the country. Children from the lowest income families will benefit.
- Make it possible for many children to participate in the global information revolution by providing them access to information which they currently do not have.
IFC Role
Through its participation in this Project, IFC will be able to bring a financial commitment to the development of a sustainable commercial business model. Furthermore, IFC will bring visibility to the pilot phase and to the dissemination of the results. IFC, will also be able to attract other researchers as well as interested grant donors to contribute to the success of this project.
Sponsor / Cost / Location
Development Impact
Related ESRS/ERS
Contacts
For Inquiries About the Project, Contact
Nicholas Vickery, Investment Officer
International Finance Corporation
E-mail: nvickery@ifc.org
International Finance Corporation
E-mail: nvickery@ifc.org