Linux Durgapur wrote:

> As the meeting progressed , we entered into the main section of the
> agenda. Other group members gave their opinion about the way of computer
> teaching in the local schools. Mr. Indranil Sen, the respected system
> annalist of Dr. B. C. Roy Engg. College gave his valuable opinion about
> this as because he is well connected with the local institutions. He
> asked us to meet the head of computer dept & headmasters of the local
> schools and try to clear their false notions about linux. We also
> created list about diff. softwares used by those schools.

This is indeed a good start. Sometime back, when iLUG-Cal was initially
looking at the aspect of introducing GNU/Linux in schools, we faced 2
immediate problems:

[1] Mapping the current syllabus to a GNU/Linux toolsuite
[2] Putting across the relevance of using FOSS tools to teach students

In the recent scenario, [1] has by far being very ably addressed by both
ICSE and CBSE. [2] is something that is visible.

However, a lot of handholding is required in order to present a case for
GNU/Linux. Most importantly, the students are in the classrooms to
*learn* how to get their projects and assignments completed through
FOSS, not begin to learn FOSS itself. That comes with the process of
learning. One way could be to slowly put in the FOSS tools and then have
workshops on FOSS philosophy etc. Thereon, guiding them towards reading
the relevant TLDP documents, RFCs will make them self sufficient. Most
importantly asking them to share their knowledge.

Teachers and faculty members being the power users have more
responsibility of becoming the mentors.

Looking forward to positive results from this initiative.

Regards
Sankarshan