Speakers, including academics, writers, publishers, and researchers, said on Friday that developed countries invested heavily in both education and public publishing infrastructure.
They also noted that Bangladesh’s publishing sector needed skilled editors, especially for children’s books, to help young readers learn language.
Discussants at a seminar at the Bangla Academy to celebrate its 25th founding anniversary organised by Sompadona also emphasised increasing publication budgets and sourcing quality books for state-owned libraries to incentivise the industry and boost its growth.
Sompadona editor-in-chief Rakhal Raha delivered the welcome speech at the seminar titled Bangladeshe Pustak Sompadona: Rastrer Dai O Dayitwa with Bangla Academy director general Mohammad Azam in the chair.
Besides, University Press Limited managing director Mahrukh Mohiuddin, translator and English teacher at Chittagong University GH Habib, writer and book editor Morshed Shafiul Hasan and professor Mansur Musa spoke at the event.
Most government organisations, Rakhal Raha said, fail to show responsibility towards their publications and the publishing industry.
‘The state compromised on budgets and the selection of publications,’ he said, mentioning that Sompadona began its work in 2001 and has organised 50 workshops on publication editing across the country since 2010.
Mahrukh Mohiuddin said that the UPL remained grateful to Sompadona, observing that the organisation shaped rough writings into finished manuscripts through its strong editorial dedication.
GH Habib stated that publications from Bangladeshi universities had devolved into ‘underground publications,’ printed only to ensure promotions for faculty members.
‘Universities rarely publish books, while the government took no steps to develop the publishing industry,’ he said, adding that even the state failed to treat the publishing industry as a medium for revenue collection and never patronised good publications.
Morshed Shafiul Hasan said that it was a matter of frustration that editing and publishing were still not established as professions in the country.
‘State intervention has ruined many sectors, and the publications of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board have become the worst production in the country,’ he said, adding that NCTB staff work merely as proofreaders for these textbooks.
He also noted that books were no longer published with readers in mind, observing that the heavy use of ChatGPT and artificial intelligence in writing books was resulting in low-quality books in the country.
Mansur Musa stated that though the NCTB produced textbooks for primary school students, the institution lacked an understanding of the book volumes appropriate for children.
Furthermore, he noted, editing regulations focus too heavily on Bangla spelling, thereby causing various linguistic issues.
Mohammad Azam said that the NCTB should not change more than 10 per cent of a text book every year, which is sufficient to erase mistakes.
‘If the government allocates Tk 100 crore for the collection of books every year, the publishing industry can produce quality books needed for the country’s mass education,’ he said.
The event also comprised a reunion of Sompadona members, a musical performance show, and an open discussion at the venue.
