Hi all,
In reply to my letter, SSC/HSC board had assured to implement the open
source policy in School Education. (Letter dated 19-05-2016)
They only put footnotes in Syllabus that "open source software can be
used in the ICT". Of course convincing Schools
and Jr Colleges to adopt FOSS on the basis of this letter and footnotes
would not have been possible. So I called it as "Symbolic Exit of
Microsoft".
But I am too happy to inform you that on 1 July 2016 a proper circular
was released which instructs schools and Jr colleges to prefer FOSS in
clear words.
I came to know about it through an HT article (Thanks to Dr Kamath, and
to Prof Tayyab Ali for pointing out this article). Consequently
"Maharashtra Times"
published another one.
I suppose this clears the most important hurdle in proliferation of FOSS.
Its great that we have started the monthly meetings at right time. In
the first meeting, we talked about visiting Schools and Colleges. With
this circular in hand
Schools, Students and Parents are little more likely to adopt FOSS. Also
students can now participate in our FOSS Projects (we have planned this
in first meeting) without dilemma as there will be no proprietary names
in Text Books and in question paper.
I am thankful to all members of this group and especially old members
for keeping us all connected for such a long time
and for always encouraging new members like me.
I take this opportunity to congratulate State Board for taking this
decision in favor of FOSS.
Links for two news paper articles and the circular :
http://www.mediafire.com/view/4nqamkqxy2ps03i/HT-1-5-17.jpg
http://www.mediafire.com/view/f4nhepll68s8fyy/MATA-2-5-17.jpg
http://www.mediafire.com/file/a6410kf396tkuyl/Board_Circular_-_1_July_2016.pdf
Thanks and Regards
Milind
-----------------------------------------------
Forwarding the old relevant thread for reference.
-------- Forwarded Message --------
Subject: Re: [ILUG-BOM] Exit Of Microsoft from School Education ?
Date: Wed, 1 Jun 2016 11:12:02 +0530
From: Rushabh Mehta <rme...@gmail.com>
Reply-To: GNU/Linux Users Group, Mumbai, India
<linuxers@mm.ilug-bom.org.in>
To: GNU/Linux Users Group, Mumbai, India <linuxers@mm.ilug-bom.org.in>
Milind,
Congrats on your excellent follow-up. Every small victory matters. It is
unfortunate that the people in government don't really care. Let us know what
help you need from the community.
On 27 may 2016, Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education has
given a reply to my notice. Maharashtra State Board was neglecting Open Source directives
given by MHRD. Though the Circular in this regard was issued, it was published in the
education booklet "Shikshan Sankraman" !. The circular as Important as this,
which could have saved huge amounts for Schools, must have been given to Schools directly
and it must have been given wide publicity in major news papers.
The Board's claim that by putting a note - "Schools and Colleges can use Open Source
Software" on index page, they have followed directions given by MHRD is ridiculous. In the
remaining pages of the reply, Board has given photocopies copies of the changes they have made in
2016-17 text books to be printed soon, and they have clarified further that Open Source can be used
in "Theory as well as in Practicals" which is very important.
Note that MHRD has used the word "PREFER" while Board is cleverly using "CAN" !
Anyway, I assume that this is only a symbolic exit of Microsoft from State's
Schools Education.
This covers State Schools and Junior Colleges in Maharashtra. But University
Education too is compelling degree colleges to use proprietary software.
Situation is somewhat better in Engineering courses but in the courses such as
Computer Applications (TYBcom), there are softwares like MS Excel and Visual
Basic. Also there are direct questions in the examination on the commands used
in Excel and VB. I am going to send similar letter to Mumbai University too.
Also the course MS-ACIT has been made mandatory for teachers. This course is
exclusively an advertisement of Microsoft and other other proprietary software.
Since after removing proprietary software from school. This course, which
itself is a violation of MHRD notification, becomes meaningless for teachers.
Hence appropriate changes are necessary in this course curriculum. We have to
follow this matter in Education Department.
I request all to help Schools in Maharashtra aware of the purpose and
significance of this change and make open source movement stronger. Otherwise
it will remain only on paper.
http://www.mediafire.com/view/seufdy593ocbaiu/Notice_To_SSC-HSC_Board.jpg
http://www.mediafire.com/view/uccych8u0hnqt6g/Notice_To_SSC-HSC_Board_%28Reply%29.jpg
http://www.mediafire.com/download/nouxfd9a1hxnwd4/MHRD_-_Remove_Microsoft.pdf
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