The impact of an adult education program for mothers: evidence from India

We use a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the impacts of an adult education program, targeting mothers in rural India, on investments in health and education of one’s children and family one year later. The program increased involvement in their children’s education (but did not affect schooling outcomes), and impacted investment in family health and hygiene practices. We note that the program made the mothers more knowledgeable about health matters and document positive changes in some measures of bargaining power. The program increased the mothers’ confidence in dealing with people outside their family, and increased their mobility.