Early on at the Sankalp Forum 2011 one of the 600-odd attendees told me that the event’s buzzword would likely be “ecosystem”. It turned out to be a  pretty apt observation. From the crowded hallways to the beanbags in the networking lounge, ecosystem creation was certainly on people’s minds.

The event kicked off with Sam Pitroda, Chairman, National Innovation Council, video-conferencing in from Chicago and continued to include panels about scale, impact investing, government and each of the five Sankalp sectors: education; technology for development; health, water and sanitation; clean energy and agriculture, food and rural business. » Continue reading “Sankalp Forum: Building the Socent Ecosystem”

The cover story in our recent issue about education looked at investment opportunities in affordable public schools—schools that charge less than US$12 (INR600) per month. In response to that article, Bongu Bharat posted an article to his blog that garnered the following comment from Dr Vibhu Pal:

Our Society runs two A P S near Delhi. Although the schools are doing good, we are facing some tough problems:
Since the fees is low, the schools have been branded of low brand value in spite of the fact that education wise our Schools are fully equipped – trained staff, infra structure on par with branded schools, every year 100% result of our Board classes etc. Good schools are measured with the fees being charged. » Continue reading “Changing the Public View of Affordable Private Schools”

This story originally appeared in our February 24, 2011 e-magazine. Click here to subscribe.

A sector of affordable private schools is emerging in the developing world. But how can investors take part?

The affordable private school movement—made up of private schools where monthly student fees are less than US$12 (INR600)—is gaining momentum worldwide and providing low-income families the ability to choose where to send their children to school.

“Our experience has been that the low-income families are very concerned about the education of their children,” said Debasish Mitter, the Portfolio Director of education in India for the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation. “These families are making the choice to send their kids to low-cost private schools.” » Continue reading “Private Education for the Poor”