[PLUG] Exit Of Microsoft from School Education ?

[Milind Oka]

You are correct. The task is not at all easy. That is why I say only 
symbolic exit of Microsoft.

In schools, the hurdle I noted was fear of schools/parents that direct 
questions would be asked in the examination on proprietary software. Now 
that this hurdle is removed, at least in State Schools of Maharashtra, 
you can convince parents or school managements not to spend money on 
acquiring licenses of these products. AFAIK, CBSE curriculum is based on 
open source softwares. So one can also request CBSE schools to use FOSS 
and not to purchase proprietary products.

I have just installed linux  in the house of one 10th std student by 
convincing his parents.

I have also contacted Managements of two schools in Thane. I offered 
free help in computerizing result processing for them. (At present they 
are doing the work manually). After that I informed them about FOSS and 
requested to give two Machines where I would install linux. Work would 
be done in libre base giving teachers proper training. Eventually the 
school teachers would do the work independently and also can give 
training to other schools in their vicinity (if they wish). Of course a 
long term plan. There seems no short cut as you have said.

I could get support from 4 more people who are retired and know 
computers little bit. Five of us would start this pilot project from 
coming academic year.

Eradicating proprietary software from University Curriculum is another 
tough task. We need to get directions from UGC or MHRD in this regard. 
In  the prestigious Digital India Project, Open Source plays a leading 
role (at least on paper !), so one has to exploit it in our favor and 
get such directions. Any suggestions in this regard are welcome.
(till then PIL is the only hope where this is one of the prayers !)

You can have your own ideas, perhaps more effective than mine. Please do 
share them here.

On Wednesday 01 June 2016 10:49 AM, In Car Nation wrote:
>
> The task doesn't look very easy.
>
> Microsoft & related noise  has almost died down (at-least on the public
> forums), while the fact remains that there are relatively less no. of Linux
> capable people available in the market.
>
> While my sentiments here may NOT be direct replica of what is market
> condition, the "Paid Service Model" of (Free and) Open Source has NOT evolved
> as aggressively as it should, in my opinion.
>
> My study of current market conditions is limited so I am expressing my
> sentiments based on what I feel exists for quite some time now.
>
> I still continue to use Linux for my daily work.