Never mind the technology, where’s the learning?

It is perhaps opportune that while at BETT, I received Jim Knights’ reply to my MP’s letter with regard to the issue over ‘exclusion’ of the possibility of open source software being used in schools following the Becta Learning Platform Framework tender. All of which has been covered in previous posts.

Here are some key phrases from Jim’s letter:

“I believe that schools and colleges must be able to make an informed choice about the software they need, and to be aware of the total cost of ownership of that software, including sustainable support and training.”

” … May I reassure Mr Davies that to get approval, all of the suppliers have successfully completed a rigorous evaluation process, conducted under EU regulations, involving practical testing as well as documentation assessment. This means that the framework offers purchasers certain assurances that a list of approved products or an accreditation scheme alone couldn’t provide.”

” No-one is forced to purchase from the frameworks, but when selecting services, purchasers are advised to ensure that their chosen provider is able to deliver the right kind of service. This should, ideally, match the functional requirements identified as necessary for schools as part of the framework process, as well as offering comparable value for money.”

In my view, the two final paragraphs are important:

“Any supplier can offer open source solutions as part of their managed service package for schools. Any prospective user, ie. a school, can tell its procurer that open source should be central to its Statement of Requirements (SoR). The issue of open source is really about carefully thought out implications and inclusion, not exclusion.”

“Becta supports the principles of open source software. It recognised the value-for-money benefits that a large-scale deployment could bring. When based upon a clearly defined SoR, which reflects schools’ visions, open source has the potential to play a vital role in educational transformation. However, the realisation of the Department’s e-Strategy is not about software deployment alone; it is about a strategic, integrated total service solution for schools.”

What do I make of this reply? It was certainly my impression at BETT that Becta employees when challenged on this point were using the line that there was no compulsion in adopting the suppliers on the framework list. Indeed, they have said this all along, but it’s clearly not been a line they have wanted to emphasise during the procurement procedure, otherwise why would a supplier spend time and effort in taking part in a submission? I’m also sure that the Alpha Learning challenge to the legitimacy of the process, is and, will have an affect on how they are expressing themselves. Experience has shown in the past that there is often a softening of response once such exercises have been undertaken to more closely mirror reality, which of course makes you wonder why the exercise was conducted in the first place.

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