Schools finally get access to open source

Becta, the government agency that administers schools' IT, is now allowing UK schools the opportunity to access open source software.

Becta had previously announced an Open Source Schools' project which Sirius pitched for, but the project was given to another vendor.

But following that, Sirius has been given one of twelve new contracts, valued at about 80 million, which will see open source finally hitting UK schools. Education sector customers may use the new providers as part of the new 'Software for Educational Institutions Framework' agreement.

It's good news for cost savings, according to Becta itself. Three years ago, the government agency reported that open source software could reduce costs to schools by up to 50 per cent.

Before this announcement, few schools used open source technology because it was not adopted by the government, but that is expected to change. Now that Sirius is accredited, it has - in theory - been put on the same level as Microsoft, which has had its own troubles with Becta.

The new agreement was set up by the Office of Government Commerce to replace the current agreement, set to expire in October.