Education ministry signs Microsoft software licences school agreement |11 April 2012

Education principal secretary Merida Delcy and the managing director of the Victoria Computer Services (VCS) Gilbert Lebon recently signed the contract documents which will allow the ministry to buy licences and get updates for Microsoft software.
 
 Held at the Ministry of Education headquarters, Mont Fleuri, the ceremony was attended by heads and representatives of different divisions within the ministry, a school representative, the chairperson of the school council of Plaisance primary school and representative of the VCS.

The school agreement guarantees the Ministry of Education a 90% concession on the prices of the licences and upgrades through its existing partnership with Microsoft Corporation whereas the VCS, being the authorised reseller for Microsoft software in Seychelles, provides the secured channel through which the ministry will obtain the licences.

PS Delcy said the ministry is appreciative of the partnership between the VCS and Microsoft Corporation and added that “we are fortunate to receive the support of both Microsoft Corporation and its partner VCS in making the purchase of the licences possible”.

Mr Lebon commended the Ministry of Education for embarking on this bold venture.  He noted the long-standing and good relationship between the ministry and the VCS and reassured the ministry of the company’s continued support in the existing projects and in this new venture, as well as in future projects.

He added that software piracy and infringement of copyright laws do occur in Seychelles as in any other country and that this initiative by the ministry should be an example for other government institutions and companies.

The agreement covers licences for Windows server standard 2008, Windows 7 professional and Office 2010 professional as well as upgrades for a period of three years. These will be installed on computers in all primary and secondary schools, post secondary institutions and in the ministry’s offices.

Mrs Delcy said that “in a world where technology is moving at a fast pace, our schools need to be equipped with up-to-date software and teachers should have access to up-to-date information and resources to better prepare our students with the skills they need to prosper in the real world”.

She encouraged the teachers, students and Ministry of Education officials to use the new software wisely to develop their skills and creativity in technology.