[Fsf-friends] Re: Fsf-friends Digest, Vol 4, Issue 10

[Sajith V K]

"Freedom matters"

Hi,

      Mahesh T pai wrote:

>Which text book? VIIIth? IXth? Xth?
      In VIIIth and IXth now. Xth std text book is on process

>I believe that  the text book for VIIIth is  already published, and is
>there for all  to see. There is no  point in having a war  of words on
>contents of the text books. It  only diverts the subject matter of the
>thread, which  is 'helping the CBSE  make a switch  over' to swatantra
>software.

GNU/Linux section was not there in VIIIth std text book published last year.
This year, the text book is revised to include "GNU/Linux section". I think 
this
made the confusion



>The post wanted help to change  the *syllabus*. He was not looking for
>help for a swatantra implementation of a non-free syllabus.  I believe
>that The CBSE does not  insist on proprietary software and permits use
>of free software by schools.  But, the permission is tacit, nothing in
>writing. I  remember reading somewhere  that people at Delhi  LUG were
>instrumental in that  part. People at GSCP, Goa,  have been successful
>in  getting similar assurances  (viz.  non-free  in syllabus,  free in
>practise) from the educational authorities of Goa.
    In "kerala IT text book" both Windows and Gnu/Linux section are
included. Another way is to include the generic concepts. I mean
Introduce Spreadsheets in general instead of Excel or Calc. But
I don't know how efficient it will be since we have to include screen
shots and "exact steps to follow"

>Our friend was asking for more.  That requires a very formal approach.
>Efforts by  Mr.  Sajith and  his friends, while  certainly significant
>and   important,  are   based  on   tacit  and   silent   approval  of
>authorities. If  somebody takes up  the issue, the Government  will be
>forced to  withdraw the  text books created  by the  present committee
>because they do not conform to the syllabus.
 >Or has the Govt. of Kerala changed the syllabus?

  The syllabus has been changed to include GNU/Linux and the schools
can choose either Windows or Gnu/Linux. The issue is, the "teachers 
training"
is provided only in windows. This forces the schools to choose Windows.
This issue has to be addressed. We need to "force" the govt. to provide
teachers training in Gnu/Linux too.

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