Pearson, which in May agreed to sell its stake in financial data provider Interactive Data for $3.4 billion to free up funds to invest in emerging markets, will buy SEB's so-called learning systems and will provide technology for SEB's schools.

Learnings systems include curriculum design, teacher support and training, print and digital materials, technology and assessment services. Pearson estimates Brazil's educational materials market to be worth $2 billion.

Pearson said on Thursday it expected SEB's learning-systems division to generate sales of around 160 million reais in 2010 and to keep growing rapidly, adding it would invest to grow the business. SEB is 70 percent owned by the Zaher family.

Shares in Pearson rose 0.6 percent to 939.5 pence by 0758 GMT, outperforming a flat European media index.

"We see the move as a strategic positive as it allows Pearson to bulk up its faster growing International Education unit (circa 20 percent of estimated 2011 EBITA) and expand into a high growth market," UBS analyst Alastair Reid wrote.

SEB's learning-systems division has achieved average organic revenue growth of more than 20 percent and operating margins of around 35 percent.

The deal should enhance adjusted earnings per share from 2011 and generate a return on invested capital above Pearson's weighted average cost of capital from 2012, Pearson said.

Following a reorganization of SEB to separate learning systems from the rest of the company — which includes university programs and schools — Pearson will pay 70 percent of the purchase price to the Zaher family.

It will then launch a delisting tender offer and pay the remaining 30 percent to SEB's public shareholders.

Pearson said the deal was expected to close in the second half of 2010 and was not conditional on regulatory approval, but would be reviewed by Brazilian anti-trust authorities.