[smc-discuss] Re: FSF India sends letter to Education Minister of Kerala

[Anivar Aravind]

Sorry , I didn't noticed the earlier posting of same
Anivar

Anivar Aravind wrote:
> Dear Friends,
> 
> Dr Nagarjuna, Chairperson FSF India has send a letter to Mr MA Baby
> citing the violation of the Kerala IT policy by using proprietary software
> for several projects.
> 
> Read the letter from
> 
> http://www.gnu.org.in/fsf-india-sends-letter-to-education-minister-of
> 
> 					06/26/08
> To
> Sri M A Baby,
> Minister of Education
> Governement of Kerala
> Room No.208, Second Floor, North Sandwich Block,
> Govt. Secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram 1
> 
> Dear Sir,
> 
> Subject: Forcing schools to use proprietary software illegally
> 
> During the last few decades, Kerala has been following a unique 
> development path that has been considered a model for the rest of the 
> country and even other underdeveloped countries. Kerala, again showed a 
> model to the world with its vision to build an inclusive Knowledge 
> society. Its IT Policy clearly states that the "Government realizes that 
> Free Software presents a truly unique opportunity in building a truly 
> egalitarian knowledge society. The Government will take all efforts to 
> develop Free Software and Free Knowledge and shall encourage and mandate 
> the appropriate use of Free Software in all ICT initiatives." (section 
> 2.10, IT Policy document, Kerala Govt.)
> 
> We congratulate the government for its efforts to support Free Software 
> and free knowledge initiatives. Schools, KSEB, Kerala State Khadi Board 
> etc. successfully completed their migration to Free Software. Public 
> sector initiatives like Keltron are doing mega projects completely in 
> Free Software. With these examples, the state showed that "Free 
> Software" is a feasible technological alternative to any proprietary 
> technology.
> 
> Under the leadership of the IT at School project, the schools in Kerala 
> were the first to successfully migrate to Free Software. The migration 
> to GNU/Linux operating system and software tools not only saved money 
> but also helped teachers to keep their ethical and moral values by 
> allowing students and others to share the software they use.
> 
> However, we would like to point out some abberations from the stated 
> policy particularly in the e-governance initiatives of the education 
> department, like the Higher Secondary Single Window system,  data entry 
> application for SSLC, Child Census,  etc. The above stated e-governance 
> projects necessitated the installation of Microsoft Windows operating 
> system as the software for the above projects were dependent on that 
> operating system. This has forced the schools to install these 
> proprietary operating systems. Most of the schools do not have the 
> necessary licenses for these proprietary systems and consequently, they 
> have to install and use illegal copies of the operating system. By using 
> unauthorized copies of proprietary software, the schools and the 
> teachers who install the operating system are breaking the law. This 
> also puts the teachers in a moral dilemma of having to use proprietary 
> software while teaching and promoting Free Software. Also, it is a clear 
> violation of the IT policy of the state.
> 
> The software used for data entry operations are very simple applications 
> which are very easy to build on a free software platform. Also, as all 
> schools in Kerala have already migrated to Free Software, it is easy for 
> them to use a software that works in GNU/Linux. An example is the IT 
> Practical Examination software. Around 5 lakhs students used the IT 
> Practical Examination software for SSLC this year without any problems, 
> and it was made completely using Free Software technology. Government 
> agencies like Keltron, CDAC etc have proved their capabilities in 
> building software using free software technology.
> 
> We hope that the State will keep up to the leadership role it has taken 
> in the adoption of Free Software in the education sector. We strongly 
> recommend the government to stand by its policy to use only Free 
> Software in all government departments and convert all software 
> installed and used in schools to free software technology.
> 
> Looking forward to your support in spreading the use of free software.
> 
> Thanking you
> best regards
> 
> Dr. Nagarjuna G.
> 
> Chairperson, FSF India.
> 
> References:
> IT Policy 2007, Kerala Government: 
> http://www.keralaitmission.org/web/main/ITPolicy-2007.pdf
> CPI(M) supports Free software : 
> http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/04/stories/2007030411510400.htm
> Kerala schools use free software : 
> http://www.indianexpress.com/story/280323.html
> ORUMA: the result of KSEB’s concerted efforts : 
> http://www.hindu.com/2008/03/09/stories/2008030953940500.htm
> 
> > 
> 


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