India : Rural Education Project

Nonsovereign Project | 47922-014

Hippocampus Learning Centres (HLC) is a venture capital backed company which operates pre-school and after-school coaching programs for children aged 3-12 years in rural India. HLC has pioneered a new model for improving learning outcomes by developing a low-cost system to deliver a supplementary education curriculum that focuses on a targeted set of learning outcomes. HLC runs education centers in rural India which offer both kindergarten and after school programs. Each center is run by a female teacher from the local community. The kindergarten program is a 3-year program while after-school program are for students in grades 1 to 6. In 2012-2013 HLC operated 78 centers which provided education to over 3,000 students. In addition to its own centers, HLC also operates its kindergarten programs on a management contract basis in rural public and private schools. Under these partnerships, the HLC prograsm are delivered via the existing infrastructure of the partner schools.

Project Details

  • Project Officer
    Singh, Samarendra
    Private Sector Operations Department
    Request for information
  • Country/Economy
    India
  • Modality
  • Sector
    • Education
Project Name Rural Education Project
Project Number 47922-014
Borrower / Company Hippocampus Learning Centres Limited
Country / Economy India
Location
Type or Modality of Assistance
7405 Equity Ordinary capital resources USD 2.00 million Closed
Strategic Agendas Inclusive economic growth
Drivers of Change Private sector development
Sector / Subsector

Education / Non-formal education - Pre-primary and primary

Gender Effective gender mainstreaming
Responsible ADB Department Private Sector Operations Department
Responsible ADB Division Portfolio Management Division, PSOD
Responsible ADB Officer Singh, Samarendra
Project Sponsor(s)
Description Hippocampus Learning Centres (HLC) is a venture capital backed company which operates pre-school and after-school coaching programs for children aged 3-12 years in rural India. HLC has pioneered a new model for improving learning outcomes by developing a low-cost system to deliver a supplementary education curriculum that focuses on a targeted set of learning outcomes. HLC runs education centers in rural India which offer both kindergarten and after school programs. Each center is run by a female teacher from the local community. The kindergarten program is a 3-year program while after-school program are for students in grades 1 to 6. In 2012-2013 HLC operated 78 centers which provided education to over 3,000 students. In addition to its own centers, HLC also operates its kindergarten programs on a management contract basis in rural public and private schools. Under these partnerships, the HLC prograsm are delivered via the existing infrastructure of the partner schools. HLC trains the teachers, provides tracher session plans and student materials.
Objectives and Scope The project was intended to increase access to affordable kindergarten and after-school programs for children aged 3-11 years in rural Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Due to the lack of pre-schools in rural areas, most children in rural areas do not have any exposure to a literacy environment or development of their cognitive skills till the age of 5-6 years when they enroll for grade 1. This puts them at a significant disadvantage in cognitive and social ability compared to children in urban areas. By focusing on learning outcomes in their kindergarten programs, HLC aims to better prepare children in rural areas for primary school.
Status of Operation/Construction The company owns and operates 249 rural preschools. It also manages schools, and provides learning materials/teacher training. HLC's operations have been affected at the height of the pandemic, as face-to-face education at the pre-school level has not been allowed in Karnataka.
Material Changes n/a
Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy The Investment is consistent with ADB's Strategy 2020. Under its strategic agenda of inclusive economic growth, ADB is committed to supporting investments in education, which particularly benefit the poor and women. The project is also consistent with the India CPS (2013-2017), which supports education activities. Gender Equity is one of the five drivers of change identified in Strategy 2020. As per the Education by 2020 - Sector Operations Plan, ADB is committed to utilize new and innovative models of service delivery and financing in the education sector with the aim of making the sector attractive for private investments. The Investment is also consistent with the Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment Operational Plan 2013-2020 which encourages gender mainstreaming in non-sovereign operations and supports, amongst other things, private initiatives which assist women employment and entrepreneurship.
Safeguard Categories
Environment C
Involuntary Resettlement C
Indigenous Peoples C
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects

No adverse impact on the environment is anticipated. HLC leases existing facilities within the village and does not construct its learning centers. HLC will help ensure that all learning centers have sanitary toilet facilities and water supply, and implement appropriate waste management practices. HLC will apply ADB's prohibited investment activities list and ensure that the project abide by applicable national laws and regulations and comply with ADB's Safeguard Policy Statement (2009).

Involuntary Resettlement The project will neither involve involuntary acquisition or purchase of land nor entail any physical or economic displacement. Lease agreements are signed with owners of existing properties in villages which are determined suitable for HLC operations. HLC employs women from local communities to teach and operate its learning centers. This selection method addresses mobility constraints of local women who have very limited income options in rural villages. The decision to train and recruit local women as teachers to run the education centers also leads to commercial benefits. Female teachers have been shown to have lower rates of absenteeism compared to male teachers. The investment is categorized as effective gender mainstreaming (EGM).
Indigenous Peoples HLC will operate learning centers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu where a small percentage of the population comprises of scheduled tribes. HLC neither promotes nor discriminates participation of children from Scheduled Tribes in its educational centers.
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation HLC deals directly with the community (village heads and parents).
Timetable for assistance design, processing and implementation
Concept Clearance 05 Aug 2013
Credit Committee Meeting 24 Feb 2014
Approval 11 Apr 2014
PDS Creation Date 03 Aug 2013
Last PDS Update 23 May 2022

Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.

The Access to Information Policy (AIP) recognizes that transparency and accountability are essential to development effectiveness. It establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced.

The Accountability Mechanism provides a forum where people adversely affected by ADB-assisted projects can voice and seek solutions to their problems and report alleged noncompliance of ADB's operational policies and procedures.

In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of, or reference to, a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.

Title Document Type Document Date
Rural Education Project: Extended Annual Review Report Extended Annual Review Reports Dec 2020
Rural Education Project: Project Data Sheet (हिन्दी) Translated PDS Sep 2014
Rural Education Project: Report and Recommendation of the President Reports and Recommendations of the President Mar 2014
Rural Education Project: Initial Poverty and Social Analysis Initial Poverty and Social Analysis Mar 2014

Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.

None currently available.


Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation

None currently available.


Related Publications

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The Access to Information Policy (AIP) establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced in its operations to facilitate stakeholder participation in ADB's decision-making. For more information, refer to the Safeguard Policy Statement, Operations Manual F1, and Operations Manual L3.

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