The K12 school system in India is one of the largest in the world with more than 1.4-million schools with over 250-million students enrolled. In the last one decade, the sector has undergone an overhaul. Although, technology has made inroads into the sector with the promise of actively engaging students in the learning process, thereby, improving learning outcomes and reducing teachers’ repetitive tasks, its potential is yet to be fully realised.

In this context, according to Ficci, publishers have a key role to play in developing the learning ecosystem. In the present context, the role of a publisher goes beyond mere content development. Today, 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.

Keeping this in mind, Ficci has instituted this platform to explore possible collaboration between various actors of the ecosystem, including children content creators, publishers, offline and online service providers, technology disrupters, teachers, schools, parents, children, and policy makers.

Key highlights of Scrapbook 2019 include policy advocacy to nurture collaboration between schools, government and children’s publishers to enhance learning outcome in K12 educational space; advocate diversity of content and its impact on learning; highlight concerns related to K12 content to concerned government departments; address the role of publishers in curriculum development; role of technology in children’s content and its impact on K12 education; understand global best practices in K12 learning and provide solutions to map learning outcomes.

Scrapbook 2019 will see over 25 representatives from government, publishing sector, and educational institutions ideate, debate and explore cooperation for future.

Sessions at Scrapbook 2019:

Diversity of content and its impact on learning

With the changing scenario in K12 education space, the diversity of content is the need of the hour. Students of this generation are not confined to the limits of simple and conventional ways of learning. Policy makers, publishers, content creators, schools and parents form essential part of the knowledge driven ecosystem, and all of them play critical role in providing suitable content to cater to the educational requirements of children. Should the educational content be left to market forces, should it be regulated, and what is the optimal level of control or liberalisation?

The session will be moderated by Priyanka Srivastava, editor, Education Times, Times of India. The panellists are Gayatri Khanna, Oxford University Press, and author and consultant and resource person, CBSE and NCERT; Upasana Mahtani Luthra, director, Public Relations, GurgaonMoms; Rachna Pant, principal, Ramjas School; Sumit Gupta, managing director, Indiannica; M Srinivasan, founder, GEAR Innovative International School.

21st Century Learning

The new-age learner is vastly different from learners of the previous generations; more technology savvy with shorter attention span. The learning medium is mostly visual and the whiteboards and tablets are the new ally. It is important for educators to adapt to the learning needs of the 21st century learner – the change is not limited to the content alone, but also to delivery mediums and overall approach.

The session will be moderated by Sesh Seshadri, managing partner and CEO, Overleaf Books. The panellists include Ritika Subhash, director of Schools, Indian Subcontinent, Mangahigh.com (BlueDuck Education); Aneesh Bangia, co-founder, Open Door Education; and Aurobindo Saxena, vice-president, Technopak.

Children Leisure Reading

Decline in reading habit among children has become a major issue that needs to be addressed. Leisure reading improves one’s thinking capacity, grooms personality, improves understanding and knowledge of various subjects and decision making. Publishers aim to entertain and educate young minds by creating unique illustrated books that recount stories of human values, arouse curiosity in the world around us, and inspire with tales of great deeds and unforgettable people. Children should be encouraged to read more often. This can only be done with collective efforts of parents, teachers, authors and publishers.

The session will be moderated by Shalini Singh, associate publishing manager, English, Education, Cambridge University Press India; The panellists include Christopher C Doyle, author, Growth Catalyst and CEO Coach; Shinibali M Saigal, senior editor, Pratham Books; and Rina Singh, principal, Apeejay School.