The Sesame Effect: Can Mobile EdTech Bridge the Literacy and Numeracy Gap in Rural India?

This project will pilot a randomized impact evaluation of Sesame Workshop, an EdTech app featuring educational content inspired by Sesame Street USA, on foundational literacy and numeracy skills and the socio-emotional development of pre-school students in rural India. The central question is whether an EdTech program, customized for 3 to 6 year old pre- schoolers (significantly greater entertainment to attract and engage students while also teaching them) and distributed online can boost the development of basic numeracy and literacy. Sesame Workshop India has developed engaging content, created an app and Youtube-based delivery channels, and partnered with the Anganwadi (Integrated Child Development Scheme pre-schools largely attended by children from low income families) system in Baran district in Rajasthan for delivery. Our pilot study will evaluate the impact of this intervention (supported by Central Square Foundation) in October-December 2026 in an RCT design, with treatment centers chosen using stratified random selection from 100 centers in the district. We will measure number and letter recognition, Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA) and Early Grade Mathematics Assessment (EGMA), and socio-emotional development, and access individual data from administrative sources. Results will be disaggregated by gender since young girls face significant educational disadvantages in rural India.