Thiruvananthapuram, July 23 - By opting for the free and open software platform (FOSS) for the state-sponsored IT@School project, Kerala's General Education Department has saved Rs.11 crore.

The project's Executive Director K. Anvar Sadath said if proprietary software were used in the 11,065 laptops and computers to be supplied in schools, a minimum of Rs.11 crore would have been spent in procurement of software.

'This deployment, considered to be the largest ever, will start from tomorrow (Friday) and will include 8,385 computers, 9,607 UPS, 2,680 laptops, 1,871 multimedia projectors, 2,222 laser printers, 1,076 dot matrix printers and 1,759 scanners to be made available to schools,' said Sadath.

This scheme is already running in 1,016 government schools and is now being extended to 3,055. At present it covers classes 8 to 12.

'The advantage of using free software is not only cost reduction, there are philosophical reasons behind this including sharing of knowledge. I think this is a model that other states can follow,' said state Minister of Education M.A. Baby.