Mallard says school software deal 'best in the world'

By ADAM GIFFORD

The Government has struck a $10 million licensing deal with Microsoft NZ in which all state and integrated schools and their staff get unlimited access to most commonly used Microsoft software.

"I believe this is the best deal for schools in the world," Education Minister Trevor Mallard said.

Under the agreement, which lasts for two years, schools may use any Microsoft Windows operating system, Microsoft Office Professional including the Macintosh version, Works, Front Page, the Microsoft Press Office Starts Here application for online staff training, Microsoft Back Office client access licence, the Encarta reference suite and the Visual Studio Professional programming tools.

Staff will be able to use the software on their home machines.

Mr Mallard said the deal, which is managed through Multi Serve Education Trust, runs from January 1.

"In the meantime schools will be able to use current licences on multiple machines," he said.

He said until now software licensing had been arranged on a school-by-school basis, and there was a perception that many schools were not paying the full costs of their licences.

Mr Mallard said the education price for the software covered was more than $800. "We have done a deal which costs about $65 a licence."

The $10 million "comes from some money we had tucked into a contingency fund".

Schools are under no obligation to take the software, and can choose free or lower cost alternatives like Linux.

School Trustees Association general manager Ray Newport said the deal made a lot of sense and would be welcomed by school boards.

Lawrence Zwimpfer, from the 2020 Communications Trust which has helped schools adopt new technologies, said the deal was something that had been sought for years.

Secondary Principals' Association president Tom Robson added: "Schools spend a lot of money on software and bulk purchasing by the Government has to be the better option. It's great."