[Fsf-friends] education project using free software

[Tathagata Banerjee]

hello.

a friend of mine has recently launched a project that aims to spread
basic computer literacy using free software in the semi-urban and
rural areas of the South 24 Parganas district of WB. he has primarily
identified two or three localities where the programme can be
initiated as test cases. if these prove successful, he wishes to
spread to other areas. he has formed an NGO to handle the affair, and
the basic logistics have been planned. in this regard, he wishes to
raise certain issues and place certain questions in front of fsf-india
and fsf-westbengal, and has asked me to mediate. so here they are.

1. the programme is aimed at beginner-level students of the largely
poor and lower-middle-class populations (who are a majority in the
designated area), and will try to train them to the point where they
should be able to impart training to the next generation of students.
the orientation of the course will be towards providing basic
computing skills which will (at least) enable them to compete in the
informal sector of the market (eg. net cafe-s, dtp setups, medical
transcription setups, small-scale computer training centres and so
forth). the questions are,
  A. what kind of syllabus needs to be framed? what software should be included?
  B. what is an ideal duration for a course that accepts
computer-illiterate people and leaves them at the intended skill level
as indicated above?

2. whom should they approach for funds? government aid can be ruled
out because first, it is very difficult to solicit successfully and
secondly, it wil carry a baggage of political and bureaucratic
complications that had best be avoided. there is the option of talking
to 'linux' businesses which seem interested in increasing spending in
india. will it be acceptable to or compaible with the free software
philosophy to receive financial support from redhat or novell in
exchange of a certain 'branding' of the training programme (supposing
they demand that)? if no, then what other options do they have?

3. in order to set a credible and fixed standard for the programme and
award a meaningful certificate to the graduates, they need an
authoritative body to affiliate the project. will fsf-india
frame/endorse the syllabus and act (on its own or through its west
bengal chapter) as certifying authority for the course?

4. should they restrict their scope to setting up independent training
centres or should they also start an awareness and advocacy programme
at the colleges of the designated region and try to get them to invite
the course? how can fsf-india help them in approaching these
institutions?

if anyone has any comments outside the scope of these issues, please
make them. i will forward a summary of the discussions to my friend.

thanks.

tathagata banerjee
co-ordinator
fsf-westbengal

-- 
cogito, ergo es.