Ed-Tech vs Ed-Publishers: Why Both Should Work Together

The conversation around education is no longer just about what students are learning, but how they’re learning. In today’s hyper-digital era, we often hear about the “clash” between Ed-Tech platforms and educational publishers, as if they are rivals in a zero-sum game. But here’s a different perspective: what if these two powerful forces in education didn’t compete, but collaborated?

At Arihant Publications, having served millions of students across India through academic books and test-prep material for UPSC, SSC, UPPPSC, JEE, NEET, and board exams, we believe the future of learning lies in synergy, not separation.

The Myth of Competition

There’s a common belief that Ed-Tech platforms are replacing traditional publishers. With the rise of learning apps, AI-driven tutors, video lectures, and personalized dashboards, it’s easy to assume that books are outdated. But data — and daily realities — suggest otherwise.

In Tier II and III cities, as well as in Hindi-medium and state board communities, printed books still dominate. Many students use Ed-Tech platforms to learn concepts but rely on publishers like Arihant for structured question banks, solved papers, NCERT-based theory, and mock tests.

Ed-Tech and Ed-Publishers don’t serve the same purpose — they serve complementary purposes.

Strengths of Ed-Tech?

• Real-Time Personalisation: Adaptive learning engines give students personalised feedback instantly.
• Engagement: Visual explanations, animations, and gamified learning keep students engaged.
• On-Demand Access: Videos, doubt-solving tools, and quizzes are available anytime, anywhere.

These strengths make Ed-Tech ideal for concept-building, revision, and self-paced learning.

Strengths of Educational Publishers?

• Structured Curriculum: Printed books follow a logical sequence based on the syllabus and board guidelines.
• Practice-Oriented: Arihant’s question banks, solved PYQs, mock tests, and model papers give students the kind of rigorous preparation no app can fully replicate.
• Reduced Screen Time: With increasing digital fatigue, many students and parents still prefer learning from books.

Publishers excel in exam-focused, structured, and high-retention content that helps students prepare systematically.

Why They Must Collaborate?

Ed-Tech platforms often struggle to create quality content fast. Publishers like Arihant have decades of academic expertise, editorial accuracy, and experience mapping to exam patterns. Meanwhile, Ed-Tech platforms offer reach, scale, analytics, and interactivity.

By working together, we can build a hybrid learning ecosystem that combines:

• Books + Digital
• Concept clarity + Exam practice
• Personalization + Structure
• Data insights + Trusted content

What Collaboration Could Look Like?

1. Digital Supplements to Printed Books Imagine Arihant’s books with scannable QR codes linking to videos, quizzes, and doubt-solving tools from partner Ed-Tech platforms.
2. Content Licensing Ed-Tech apps can license quality content from trusted publishers for their users — reducing the risk of misinformation and low-grade material.
3. Joint Product Development Co-created hybrid modules: Printed books for core concepts and in-app resources for revision and testing.
4. Shared Student Analytics Insights from Ed-Tech platforms can inform publishers about trending topics, common errors, and usage patterns, helping to improve content continuously.

Conclusion

This is not Ed-Tech versus Ed-Publishers. This is Ed-Tech plus Ed-Publishers. Together, we can create an ecosystem that delivers:

• Better outcomes
• Better content
• Better learning

It’s time to stop choosing sides — and start building bridges.