2nd Edition of Children’s Publishing Conclave
‘Scrapbook’ concludes successfully

FICCI’s second edition of “Scrapbook – Children’s Publishing Conclave” was dedicated to address the vital role of the publishing sector in curriculum designing and the importance of emerging technology in education (smart boards, augmented reality, artificial intelligence), and how it is changing the way students were taught, for the better. Publishing for children including K-12, leisure, and supplementary covers 71% market share of the Indian book-publishing sector, which is the largest chunk of the publishing pie. It is expected that literacy rate in India will increase in coming years.

Inaugural session

In his welcome address,Ratnesh Jha, Chair, FICCI Publishing Committee, and Managing Director, Cambridge University Press, said that publishers play a vital role in the education sector. They could add value in the process of curriculum development. The education technology industry has a vital role to play in the emerging content delivery mechanisms for students as well as teachers.

In her keynote address,Rina Ray, Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India, said that the real challenge before educators and publishers was to create e-content that is targeted at a child’s ability to learn, was impactful and motivated a child to read. She stressed on the importance of reading, for which, she recommended several ways, including framing of guidelines for illustrations in colour to make children appreciate content; exposure to the thoughts and lives of some of the greatest minds by way of classics and making it fashionable for parents to read to a child.

In her closing address Karthika V. K., Co- Chair, FICCI Publishing Committee and Publisher, Westland mentioned, “Publishers, schools and learners have to co-create the knowledge economy. We need to build democratic values and practice it in and through publishing.”

The inaugural session was chaired by Sumeet Gupta, Senior Director, FICCI.

FICCI Publishing Awards

FICCI Publishing Awards were also conferred on the publishers and authors. This initiative was taken in order to recognize the best work in publishing sector. The following are the winners of the FICCI Publishing Awards in six categories: Book of Year: English, Harilal & Sons – A Novel, Sujit Saraf, Speaking Tiger Publishing Pvt Ltd; Book of Year: Hindi, Nagaphani Van Ka Itihaas, Veramuttu, Sahitya Akademi;Children’s Book of the Year: English, Kittu’s Very Mad Day, Harshikaa Udasi, Duckbill Books; Children’s Book of the Year: Hindi, Sushree Chhachhundriya ne Samudra Tat Mein Surangen Banayin, Aditi Ghosh, Pratham Books; Upcoming Author of the Year: English, Mrs C Remembers, Himanjali Sankar, Pan Macmillan India; and Upcoming Author of the Year: Hindi, UP- 65, Nikhil Sachan, Westland Publications Ltd./Hindi Yugm

PPP for Learning Initiatives and Capacity Building- Role of Publishers

This session highlighted the role of publishers in developing the learning eco-system. In the present scenario their role is much beyond content development – modern-day publishers are developing content for print and digital mediums, developing delivery mediums, assessment solutions and training teachers among other initiatives. Publishers can help by way of bringing qualitative improvements in government and public sector projects.

Other areas of discussion

A Panel on “Emerging Content Delivery Mechanisms” was moderated by Dr. Amarendra Prasad Behera, Joint Director, Central Institute of Educational Technology (CIET), NCERT. There was an interactive session on “Writing Compelling Stories for Children” in conversation with Devika Rangachari, Renowned Children’s Author that was moderated by Karthika V.K., Co – Chair, FICCI Publishing Committee & Publisher, Westland.

A Panel on “Global Best Practices for the 21st Century Learner” was moderated by Ratnesh Jha, Chair, FICCI Publishing Committee. While, the session on “Children Leisure Reading” was moderated by Preminda Langer, Education Adviser, Scholastic India.

Workshops for Children

Scrapbook also invited students from various schools to participate in experimental learning workshops organized on topics like storytelling, cybercrime, road safety and music & language. During these workshops, enthusiasm was shown not only by the participating children, but also by their respective schools.

The main purpose of organizing these workshops was to observe, measure and present experiential learning concepts to introduce new ways of delivering the content. Experts believe that experiential learning presents the opportunity for children to understand and appreciate complicated concepts.