- We are very excited that now open source particularly Linux is a part of official curriculum of 12th standard computer subject in Gujarat (GSEB), Could you tell us in terms of percentage weightage of open source in book?
Answer: First of all thanks for your wishes. We too are very excited about open source being included in the syllabus. The Open source software consists of 50% of weightage in the new syllabus.
- How many schools do actually offer the subject of computer science in Gujarat?
Answer: There are around 4500 schools in Gujarat; of which 95% offer computer science as subject.
- Since how long people are trying this and what were the efforts to make this happen?
Answer: Well we have bee trying to incorporate it from last 7 years, finally we have succeeded
- What are the hurdles you come across? If you can disclose who are the team members?
Answer: No comments on the parts of hurdles. To name a few Prof. R P Soni, Ms Sonal Jain, Mr. M T Savaliya and others
- As Linux is considered to be very hard compare to other do you think it is also very hard do digest for 12 standard students?
Answer: The whole idea is actually to remove this myth that LINUX IS HARD by including at grass root level.
- What were the key considerations when you design the open source part of the text book?
Answer: Right now the only thought was that the students should get familiar with open source. Hence introductory level has been introduced. We want the students to start using Linux as Desktop OS.
- What do you expect from the students or what would be impact on the student?
Answer: The impact on the students I think would be known to us by next year.
- What is your experience to deal with government for open source adoption at school level?
Answer: No comments J
- Do you think there will be a lot problem to keep two operating system at school level? What problem could be faced at infrastructure level and how to solve it?
Answer: I don’t think it will be an issue. As such schools outsource the hardware and software maintenance part; so I presume that it will be taken care of.
- Selection of the Linux distribution should be confusing?? Which distribution is included?
Answer: Yes it was really a tough part, but we went with RedHat ES 4.0 as the things were proposed almost 1one and half years back.
- What are the topics covered in text books?
Answer: The coverage includes how to use Linux as desktop machine, and Open Office Writer, Calc, Impress and Base. The whole idea was to tell people about the options that we have with Open Source.
- As Linux is open source in nature the changes are very fast, particularly version, you also need to upgrade the text book perhaps every year. What is your plan?
Answer: Gujarat Textbook Board follows NCERT pattern of syllabus, which gets revised every two years. I think the upgrades can be taken care of in this case.
- From which dates the text books are available?
Answer: Well exact date may be hard to give, but probably the books will be available by first week of June 2009
- What kind of business opportunity do you think with introduction of open source at 12th standard?
Answer: Well if you are talking from vendor’s aspect, then I think support and maintenance will play a major role.
- Any Linux companies like Redhat, Ubuntu etc have shown keen interest in this matter? Did they approach you or your team?
Answer: Not yet
- How do you provide training to teachers those going to actually teach Linux at school Level?
Answer: Gujarat government has a training cell for training which imparts training to teachers. I would recommend that Computer Society Of India’s Ahmedabad Chapter should also join hands in this cause and try to give training to teachers along with your expert assistance.