Investor

Pearson Affordable Learning Fund

The Pearson Affordable Learning Fund (PALF) makes minority equity investments in for-profit companies to meet a growing demand for affordable education services across the developing world. Extensive market research has shaped their belief that they need both efficient public and private education actors working in tandem, if they are ever to achieve ‘Education For All.’ Across the developing world the reality on the ground is that students are already attending low-cost private schools. In Delhi, India it is estimated 70% of students attend low-cost private schools. In Accra, Ghana it is 64% and in Lagos, Nigeria it is 70%. Hundreds of millions of low-income parents have voted with their feet because the public option so often provides such poor quality. As a result there is a huge unmet education and market need to provide high quality, low cost education at scale. The Affordable Learning Fund was launched in July 2012, with $15 million of initial Pearson capital. PALF’s goal is to help improve access to quality education for low income families.

Type: Investment Fund Manager

Geography: Americas

Impact: Access to Financial Services