The Impact of Adult education on Knowledge, Self - Awareness and Confidence: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial in India

Using the random assignment of illiterate women to an adult literacy and numeracy program – Tara Akshar – in Uttar Pradesh in north India, the attempt is made to gauge the effect of adult education on knowledge, self- awareness and confidence. It is found that the participation in the program increases women’s knowledge about their community, as well as about issues related to their health and education. Following the knowledge test, it is asked to women to guess the number of correct answers, and it is found that participation in the program reduces their over- confidence, and makes women more aware of how much they actually know. Finally, it is found that there is an increase in women’s self- reported confidence to approach and talk to persons authority (e.g. teachers, doctors).