NIIT - Hole in the Wall

completed

Description of the ProjectThe 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 ImpactThe 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 RoleThrough 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.