Though getting a large amount of criticism from various sources (including this list), the Becta Software for Educational Institutions Framework (SEIF) was never about banning software, but about getting a framework in place to allow schools to “purchase” software avoiding many of the problems and pitfalls that may arise from a school going it alone.
The problem that many found with the SEIF was that it favoured proprietary software vendors and discriminated against open source.
The Sirius Corporation revealed yesterday that it was among 12 software suppliers to have been awarded places on the £80m Software for Educational Institutions Framework (SEIF) agreement.
This means that schools that wish to use linux, Open Office, Moodle, etc… now have a framework which allows them to use the software more easily.
Sirius press release.
Are any colleges out there looking at open source alternatives beyond Moodle?