Re: [suse-linux-uk-schools] Hello from a Parent Volunteer
On Wed 15 Mar, Raju wrote:
Greetings,
My name is Raju and I am a parent volunteer trying to start a network in
school which doesn't have one and does not have the heart to start one due to dire financial situation.
I have acquired a few "donations" from the local companies and am going to try my best to create a ICT suite in the school.
The primary school in question is Furze Platt (Pinkney's Green, Maidenhead).
I don't want to undermine your goodwill and enthusiasm - but I do feel
NOT the way to properly fund Education - and in particular IT in education.
Systems need to be robust and capable of being easily managed and
possibly a succession of people.
BECTA and NGFL have published a range of materials advising on IT installations.
There is danger of spending a significant sum on IT only to find that
need to be re-spent when the system cannot be supported.
In theory - if there was enough 'free' support from real experts to support schools it might work. Sadly, I have often seen 'business' models of networks installed in schools for the whole thing to later fall apart. The needs of education are well understood by a range of specialists - and that specialism needs to be respected.
As to the 'dire' financial situation - I'm sure that this is true - but
Point well taken.
But (there is always a but!) what I am doing does not cost the school a
penny. So if they find the machines that I am setting up getting in their
way, they can dump them and be no worse (or better) off.
Having said that, it looks like the head teacher is negotiation some funds
from the NGFL. If that happens all my "good" work will go down the drain
anyways ;-)
----- Original Message -----
From: Alan Davies
LARGE sums allocated to the development of IT in schools - ring fenced. You need to find out where these sums are - sadly far to often sidetracked by LEAs.
-- Alan Davies Head of Computing Birkenhead School
participants (1)
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Raju