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[DS-discuss] The real roadblocks to [GNU]Linux in education
From: |
Frederick Noronha (FN) |
Subject: |
[DS-discuss] The real roadblocks to [GNU]Linux in education |
Date: |
Sun, 15 May 2005 06:14:24 +0530 (IST) |
http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/software/0,2000061733,39191668,00.htm
The real roadblocks to Linux in education
By Con Zymaris, Special to ZDNet
13 May 2005
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In this issue of Industry Insider, Con Zymaris, our guest columnist from
Open Source Industry Australia, describes the major barriers for Linux in
the education system.
commentary Linux and open source software have a problem in Australia's
education sector.
And that problem has nothing to do with the value-for-money or
fitness--for-purpose of the software. It has everything to do with
fighting an uphill battle against entrenched ideology and frightened
government bureaucrats.
A recent report published by the UK government shows how adopting Linux
and other open-source solutions could save education possibly tens of
millions of pounds every year.
The UK government's ICT agency, British Educational Communications and
Technology Association, suggested that schools could slash their total
computer costs by up to 50 percent if they "stopped buying, operating and
supporting products from the world's largest software company". Incredible
and sobering information.
But what does this mean in the Australian context? Will we see Australia's
state departments of education suddenly jump at the chance to save
hundreds of millions in computer system costs?
Not likely. But why? The answers lie in intimidation and trepidation. In
simple terns, fear and lack of vision.
Here's how it works. Most government primary and secondary schools don't
care about saving costs by using cheaper alternatives. You see, they
effectively pay nothing for their proprietary software -- the schools'
owners, the respective Departments of Education do. And the mandarins
therein don't like anything that rocks the boat, and are thus greatly
threatened by Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). Nothing rocks an ICT
boat like FOSS does.
Which is why you find that in almost all circumstances, the Departments of
Education in each state are also the most pro-Microsoft. I've been trying
for over two years to make headway with some of them. They tell me that
they are scared of doing anything which will upset Microsoft.
Yes ... you read that right. The representatives of our elected government
are scared of displeasing a vendor!
If these departments suddenly stopped paying for proprietary software and
switched to FOSS, the schools know they won't reap any of the purported
savings. So, why would schools bother with trialling FOSS? Where's the
incentive?
Additionally, teachers also know that they will need to learn a whole swag
of new software, with minimal time and support. Teachers' time and stress
levels are at a premium already. Without support from the powers that be,
this makes migration away from "the world's largest software company" a
hard and thankless task.
The upshot of all this is that every report commending the advantages of
FOSS for the education sector falls on deaf, disinterested and frightened
ears. This means that unless there is action from the absolute top, there
will never be any action. Period.
This is why organisations like Open Source Industry Australia and Linux
Australia are talking to [or trying to, at least] each state's Minister of
Education, as well as their opposite numbers.
We want the incredible waste of money to be stopped right at the top. And
if those discussions don't succeed, then it's time for the talk shows and
mainstream newspapers.
I'm sure average Australians would love to learn how Linux and open source
can save them -- as taxpayers -- hundreds of millions in software costs
... money which can be spent on something useful for a change. Our
schools, teachers and students deserve as much.
biography
Con Zymaris is a Director of Open Source Industry Australia.
..........................................................................
Frederick (FN) Noronha | Freelance Journalist | Mobile +91 9822 122436
Tel +91.832.2409490 | http://fn.swiki.net | http://www.bytesforall.net
..........................................................................
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