Can schools save by dumping Microsoft for Open Source? |
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Wed, 11 May 2005 21:10
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The British Educational Communications and Technology Association (Becta) has dealt a potential body blow to Microsoft and other copyrighted software in its new report which claims that primary schools in Britain could save upto 50 percent in costs if they decided to join the open source bandwagon.
The report, which was leaked to the Times Educational Supplement, also says that secondary schools in the UK could also benefit from open source software solutions. These schools could cut their costs by 25 percent if they chose to go the open source route. Schools in Britain reportedly spend around £1 billion to keep themselves up to date with new innovations in the IT sector. If these figures are anywhere near correct, then the Department of Education and Skills could save themselves a bundle by switching to open source software.
| School Forge, an organization that is actively campaigning for open source software in schools, seconds these views. Richard Rothwell, chairman for Schoolforge UK, says, "The experience of schools involved in deploying Free, Libre and Open Source Software (FLOSS) is that there is a huge range of resources and software available that will work alongside [it].
Using FLOSS solutions, a school could install a class suite of computers with web browsing software and an office suite for a few thousand pounds and then have next to no maintenance costs in its 10-year life. Simply deploying FLOSS servers can offer huge savings for a school."
Stephen Uden, group manager of education relations for Microsoft, responded to this as yet unofficial report by saying, "There are some 5,000 third party applications available to run on Microsoft Windows operating system but only a handful of applications supported by the open source community. We offer free support and training materials to help teachers and students make the most of their technology."
Currently, the Department of Education and Skills has an agreement with Microsoft under which schools can receive sponsorship of up to £15,000. Analysts cite this agreement as the reason behind the schools 'reluctance in espousing the open source initiative. However, all this could change if the government decides to go the open source way.
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