[Schools] MS locks-in UK schools via 'special terms' sponsorship deal

[Charles Curran]

Here's something of great concern (Bcc'ed to some interested UKUUG parties). 
Todays's Register carries the  following
  MS locks in UK schools via 'special terms' sponsorship deal
  By John Lettice
  Published Friday 11th March 2005 11:23 GMT

  A sponsorship deal between Microsoft and the Department for Education and
  Skills has positioned the giant to be the dominant supplier in UK schools,
  and according to Register sources is already causing some schools to cancel
  open source projects "in case they upset the sponsor [i.e. Microsoft] or the
  DfES failed their bid." The rules of the mechanism Microsoft has used,
  sponsorship for 100 applicants for specialist schools status, at a claimed
  value of £1.5 million, appear to have been relaxed or even subverted, the
  effect being to tilt the playing field dramatically in Microsoft's direction. 
... + ~four paragraphs more  (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/03/11/ms_specialist_schools_deal/)


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--Charles Curran