Textbooks rarely make waves. But they make the progress of knowledge possible. They are the primary learning tools for most children across the world. They provide a well-organized and systematic presentation of the subject matter. They guide students through topics step by step, ensuring they build solid foundations before moving to advanced concepts. They are structured to build knowledge progressively. Textbooks are a boon even to teachers. Textbooks offer them a road-map of the topics to be covered in a course, aligning with the prescribed curriculum. They also provide teachers with teaching strategies, examples, and exercises that can be used in lessons.
Mary Pouline is a teacher-turned-publisher of textbooks. What led her to the publishing career was a student’s question. She was asked: Why is it that even after 12 years of learning English, I am not able to read, speak or write English properly? Her simple reply was: “Because you were not taught English the right way.” A lot of students in India are like the student mentioned above. The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2023 says 42.7 per cent of children in rural India’s 14-18 age group cannot read simple sentences in English. Mary Pouline is bent on reversing this sad situation through her Sapience® Publications, a company launched seven years ago. Hers is a new voice in the textbook market. It’s a voice that cannot be ignored.
Mary Pouline, CEO and Founder of Sapience Publications is the author of several textbooks for kindergarten and primary school children. Her books are visually engaging, educational, and developmentally appropriate for young children, giving them an interactive learning experience that naturally ignites in children a love for the subject.
The two pillars of Sapience KG textbooks are Photographic Memory Syllabus (a picture is worth a thousand words!) and the Phonics method of learning English (based on the letters and the sounds they represent). “We’re probably India’s first company to introduce a phonic syllabus,” says Pouline who has been revolutionizing nursery and primary education in recent times. How? Let’s hear the amazing story from Pouline herself.
Ma’am, as an inspiring leader, could you take us back to the beginning of your journey? What motivated you to step into this field?
Right from childhood, I have had a keen interest in teaching. In fact, I was a teacher-learner at school, meaning I learnt by teaching others. I used to teach my friends every day, and that was my way of revising the lessons learnt in the classroom.
In 2000, I found myself in a situation where I had to find employment. It was no surprise that I chose to be a teacher. I joined the Don Bosco Matriculation School in M.K.B Nagar, Chennai. For five years, I worked as a teacher and took on roles such as computer instructor and academic assistant. I soon discovered that there were different types of learners in every classroom, each with their own preferred ‘learning styles.’
By ‘learning style’ I mean the particular way a child absorbs, processes, comprehends and retains information best. For example, one student might learn best with the help of charts, diagrams and maps (the visual learners), while another might understand better by listening and speaking, attending lectures and taking part in discussions (the auditory learners); still others might learn best by reading the text and taking notes (the reading/writing learners); and a fourth group might learn best by acting out a process or by doing hands-on experiments (the kinesthetic learners). A teacher has to address the needs of these different groups of students. A student whose ‘learning style’ is not addressed will soon lose interest both in the subject and in the teacher.
Later, when I set up a tuition centre (Galaxy Academy) in 2005, I made it a point to take in struggling students and even those who seemed to have an aversion to learning. I liked to work with such kids. I am happy to say that, with the proper approach, even those who had an aversion to learning changed their attitudes and showed an eagerness to go ahead with higher studies. It was then that I realized that teaching is my true calling. I lived out my life as a teacher for 17 years. My passion for teaching has propelled my journey in academia. It has been the main motivation for the research scholar in me while I pursue my PhD at the University of Madras.
In the course of my teaching, I came to understand the importance of textbooks in the life of students. A textbook has authority. It has a strong influence on students, teachers, and parents alike. It is the backbone of formal education. But not all textbooks were well prepared; many were even sub-standard. I then decided to create textbooks, starting with kindergarten.
Moreover, I noticed that children often struggle to read English. So, I wanted to explore a more effective way of teaching the language. I also wanted to make kindergarten books more appealing by incorporating in them more images than texts. I formulated a curriculum that revolves around visual learning and letter-sound correlation. Our Photographic Memory Syllabus and Pinky Phonics teaching method are the key learning techniques we focus on. Additionally, we follow a method called Paattum Padippum in our Tamil books, where every letter or letter series has a special rhyme.
Thus began my journey as a publisher. I started Sapience® Publications in 2017 with the goal of creating quality textbooks to bring about a beautiful change in education. At that time, I only had about ₹50,000 in my bank account. With the help of well-wishers around me, I managed to overcome the risk of rejection and successfully introduced a modern syllabus to schools reluctant to change. Today, our textbooks pervade the classrooms of 165+ schools spread across multiple states.
Sapience® Publications has emerged as one of India’s best enterprises. Could you share the guiding philosophy that has propelled your organization’s success?
Sapience® follows the mantra “Quality Education for All.” To achieve this, we started with quality textbooks. Our goal was to make quality learning material affordable and accessible to children of all backgrounds. I believe that economic constraints should never stand in the way of imparting standard quality education to children. I wanted to bring a contemporary learning experience to children in low-income categories and rural areas. That is why we introduced Phonics, an admittedly modern way of teaching English, at the kindergarten stage. The goal of our phonics programme is to enable children to read any word that is put in front of them.
Poor reading skills hinder overall academic performance and limit students’ ability to access higher levels of education. If children don’t learn to read properly, they will fall behind, not just in English, but in every subject. Learning to read is the building block of early education.
The second principle that has made Sapience® a success is “Make it Simple.” We refrain from complicating concepts. If a topic or concept is beyond the grasp of the average student, it will only demotivate them. It shouldn’t be in a textbook. I would first simplify them instead of demotivating them, I do my best to make it more digestible for them. Fortunately, the entire Sapience team shares this philosophy. Phonics may seem daunting, but our books make it extremely approachable.
Your iconic leadership style is often recognized as an inspirational force behind your company’s achievements. Could you shed light on your approach to leadership and team building within the organization?
I have honed my leadership style through trial and error, as I believe the best way to learn is by doing. I value experience and consider it the purest source of knowledge. Over the years, I have realized that I cannot keep picking on my teammates’ flaws. That would only make people leave my company without even reaching their full potential. As a teacher, I have understood the impact of appreciating people and recognizing their contributions. People are receptive to constructive feedback if it is cushioned with an acknowledgement of their role in the company. Positive reinforcement makes people feel valued and keeps them motivated.
I also periodically reiterate the company’s mission, vision, and motto. I keep my teammates in the loop and inform them about the path I intend to take to achieve my goals. This level of clarity, transparency, and efficient communication results in dedicated teammates who celebrate the company’s success like their personal success.
I am very careful about not overloading my team with too many tasks. I make sure they do not have to juggle around too much. Such activities decrease efficiency and breed resentment. So, the key is to create a joyful yet goal-oriented atmosphere at the workplace.
Sharing my insights on leadership, parenting, and other topics is a major part of my social media presence. I connect with my audience by putting out thought leadership content on various platforms. Furthermore, I lend my expertise by addressing seminars, conferences, workshops, teacher training sessions, and other gatherings.
The essence of education lies in bringing innovation and advancements to the future generation. How does your enterprise strike a balance between learners’ expectations and experience?
Our biggest innovation is the introduction of Pinky Phonics, a phonics-based syllabus, in early childhood education. This is a modern way of teaching the English language using the sounds of the letters. Since this is a relatively new concept, it may sometimes be difficult for parents to keep up with what their kids are being taught at school. In fact, some schools were initially hesitant to go with our books, anticipating resistance from parents. After all, landmark changes are always met with scepticism.
We focused on ways to ease the transition from conventional teaching methods to our modern methods. For the teachers, we created a syllabus sketch and teaching manuals to assist them in the classroom. We also offer complimentary training sessions twice a year. We enlisted the help of experts and devised a Windows-based software to deliver digital learning content to the school. But we still found there was a gap between school and home. We wanted to bridge that gap between the parents and the teachers. So, we created an Android-based app that parents can use to supplement teaching efforts at home. Parents of all backgrounds can handle our app, as quality content is just a click away. In this instant world, we realize that instant knowledge is the need of the hour. So, our learning methods are modern but also simplified – the perfect balance between customer expectations and user experience.
Sustainability and environmental responsibility are crucial aspects of modern education. How does Sapience® Publications integrate these principles into its operations and contribute to a sustainable future?
Sustainability is not only about encouraging the planting of trees, the conservation of water, or the reduced usage of plastic. It is all about creating awareness about sustainability among students. At Sapience®, we directly approach children as young as four years old through our books. For instance, we have a whole set of chapters chronicling the journey of water from the sea to the tap. This makes the child understand that water must be used judiciously and conserved whenever possible. We also have chapters on different types of plants and how beneficial they are for the environment.
Further, we have included in our curriculum a diet chart, a calendar of national celebrations, information about natural antibiotics and the significance of sports. In fact, we had introduced a sports syllabus years before it was recommended in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. We have incorporated good habits and moral values as an integral part of our curriculum. This has had a trickle-down effect, as even parents get influenced by the information in our textbooks. I am proud to say that Sapience® textbooks help create young citizens who will actively contribute to a sustainable future.
Technology plays a pivotal role in enhancing efficiency. How does your company leverage technology to optimize its services and stay ahead in a digital age?
In the digital age, learning content must be transferable across various platforms. From paper to screen, there should be no drop in quality. When I first started my company in 2017, hardly any publisher made an effort to provide digital content to support teaching efforts. At that time, technology was growing steadily, so we decided to cater to that demand. We made hundreds of videos to facilitate learning, but we realized that delivering them only via YouTube or a flash drive was neither sufficient nor professional. So, we came up with a special platform, the Sapience Windows-Based Software. We provided the complete syllabus transcribed as convenient video content. This was made available to schools first. However, we quickly realized that there was a need among parents too for this type of digital content. So, we made another app, this time Android-based, and shared it with the parents. To deliver the Sapience® Kids App, we devised the method of QR codes rather than taking the parents’ phone numbers personally. We streamlined the process of digital content delivery.
How does Sapience® foster a culture of growth, skill development, and empowerment among its employees?
We have a culture of prioritizing productivity. Our young team is highly energetic and enthusiastic. Once hired, we typically give a new teammate a month to come up to speed. During this time, we do not interrupt their flow or micromanage their activities. This period is crucial for them to settle in and invest themselves in the company’s growth.
We provide constructive feedback through our business benefit meetings and month-end meetings. Our policy is to journal everything. This has resulted in making my team very responsible and accountable. Such is our culture. We do not harass or upset people. I do not believe in adding pressure or stress. Over time, I have understood that it affects productivity.
So, I have adopted a different style. The key is giving your teammates freedom, understanding them, accepting them as they are, respecting them, and, most importantly, focusing on their personal goals. When all these aspects are perfectly aligned, we can enjoy mutual growth.
As a leader in India’s education sector, Sapience® has likely faced its share of challenges. Could you share an instance where your team’s resilience and ingenuity triumphed over adversity?
The pandemic was very challenging. Our company produces books for kindergarten and pre-primary kids. In 2017, we served 37 schools. The next year, we expanded our client list to 83 schools. In 2019, we were poised for significant growth, with orders from over a hundred schools. However, the sudden onset of the pandemic and subsequent lockdown brought our plans to a screeching halt. With schools closed for nearly two years, the growth of the company was severely affected.
Thanks to our Windows and Android apps, online education was made possible during this time. Our foresight in keeping up with the times via digital content kept us afloat, and our clients were happy to continue teaching efforts digitally. Thankfully, the team was resilient, so we stuck it out and survived, coming out stronger than ever.
The post-pandemic times have reshaped industries globally. How has your company navigated these unprecedented times and adapted its strategies to ensure business continuity?
The post-pandemic years made us aware of a problem of continuity. Before the pandemic, teaching was classroom-based. The kids could connect with the teacher, interact actively in class, and learn. During the lockdown years, the delivery mode suddenly became digital.
Once things got back to normal, we could identify that those two years had resulted in some unavoidable gaps in learning and necessitated a stronger focus on the digital aspects. So, we immediately revamped while staying true to our policies and principles. We published revised editions of all our books and provided an updated version of our digital learning interfaces.
Looking to the future, what is your vision for Sapience Publications? How do you aspire to continue making a significant impact on India’s educational landscape?
I want to continue working as I am now with the same zeal and zest. I wish to transform Sapience® into a pioneering Ed-Tech company with a huge presence. We have a 5-year plan. Right now we publish textbooks for LKG and UKG. From now, we plan to add textbooks for an additional grade each year. Gradually, we will cover the primary classes completely and expand our catalogue.
Currently, our services are spread across the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, and Karnataka. I hope to expand my team and scale up the production of quality material. In the next few years, I anticipate increasing the coverage to schools across the country, charting out a pan-Indian presence. Pretty soon, Sapience’s footprints will be found across the length and breadth of the nation. We also have plans to go global and reach markets abroad as well. As the company grows, I wish to engage in a wider variety of charitable and philanthropic ventures.
Sapience® envisions an India with budding citizens who are confident in their literacy and numeracy skills, competent in science and technology, proud of their culture and literature, environmentally aware, and eager to contribute to the nation and the world. Children are the hope of the future. They need inspiration even more than instruction. Our innovative learning materials provide both in ample doses. We believe in the slogan: Happy learning, joyful living, the Sapience way.
