Some important points from FOSS point of view are as follow:
The draft policy says 'Free ware, free and open source software
applications will be preferred.' . Very early in policy objectives is
speaks of creating 'an environment of collaboration, cooperation and
sharing'.
It speaks of open and universal access to content at many places. In
fact it is one of the most recurrent theme. It speaks of 'creative
commons' licenses. Not sure, but dont think any GoI policy yet
officially refers to these licenses, though I may be wrong.
However, in the end, as Guru's note points out it, mentioning a BOOT
model as the preferred one for implementation can be very problematic,
and can undo most of the progressive features of the policy.
On the other hand, unlike the earlier draft last year, which took Public
Private Partnership as the central mantra, which was clearly there to
enable large software and content companies capture the public education
market, the part on PPP in the present draft is mostly around non-profit
and voluntary activities. Indeed, FOSSCOMM's response to the policy
draft can begin on this positive note of offering help through
volunteers, whenever and wherever possible, to kick start
teacher-training processes, since such training is stressed in the policy.
We can of course add a lot on how FOSS adoption can help constructivist
form of learning apart from saving costs etc.
Open standards are also mentioned in a few places.
We can specifically seek that the policy makes it mandatory to first
consider FOSS for any area, and any other choice made should be
sufficiently justified, and taken only as an interim measure till.....
Something to this effect.
parminder
Guru ???? wrote:
Dear friends,
MHRD has released a new draft of the National Policy for ICTs in
School Education (NPISE) recently (see
http://education.nic.in/secedu/ict.pdf).
This document is far better than the earlier one released in Jan 08
(see
http://itforchange.net/media/NPISE/policy_wkbook_with_comments.pdf for
the older policy draft). It clearly emphasises teacher professional
development, local content creation, universal access, teacher
pre-service and in-service training, ICT literacy as a precursor to
ICT enabled learning etc.
While the earlier policy draft did not have even a single mention of
FOSS, the current draft states in para 5.3.2 "Free ware, free and open
source software applications will be preferred".
I have written 'some overall comments' on the policy in a 1 pager (see
"Some overall comments on the NPISE 24.07.09 FOSSCOMM" attached). We
request comments and subsequent endorsement from FOSSCOMM on this
note. The last date for receiving comments is 29 July, hence I request
your comments and suggestions well before then, so that we can share
the same with MHRD. We can also write to MHRD at the email id given in
the bottom of the document.
Look forward to your comments/response at your earliest. Would request
Narendra if he can put this up on the FOSSCOMM wiki as well
regards,
Guru
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