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> Our Publications > New Zealand Outlook > 2004 > June
Schools
to get free software THE
latest Microsoft software products will soon be
available, at no cost, to all state and state-integrated
schools as part of a multi-million dollar agreement
struck with Microsoft.
Schools, through this agreement, will have the
opportunity to build the capability of students, teachers
and institutions to exploit the educational potential of
ICT. This supports the government's commitment to provide
all New Zealanders with skills to meet the technology
demands of the 21st century.
The agreement with Microsoft is part of a wider
government programme of bulk purchasing of software and
licences for schools including anti-virus and Apple
software, worth a total of $27.45 million over three
years.
"Schools will now be able to tap into a range of
core Microsoft technology including Windows operating
system upgrades, Microsoft Office 2003, server client
licensing, and a range of commonly used
applications," the Minister of Education Mr Trevor
Mallard said.
Earlier this year the Ministry of Education signed two
other agreements for the supply of eTrust anti-virus and
Apple software to schools.
"Together these packages will provide assurances
about the quality, performance and reliability of
computers using Microsoft, anti-virus and Apple software
in schools," Mr Mallard said.
Schools will also be able to purchase a range of non-core
products at big savings.
While independent schools would not automatically receive
the core software products available under the agreement,
they would be eligible to buy the software at the same
unit prices negotiated by the Ministry of Education.
The list of core products available at no cost to all
registered state and state integrated schools:
* Microsoft Office 2003
* Microsoft Office for Mac
* Microsoft Works
* Microsoft Windows Operating System Upgrade (all
versions)
* Microsoft BackOffice Client Access Licenses
* Microsoft FrontPage 2003
* Microsoft Publisher 2003
* Microsoft Visual Studio .Net Professional
* Microsoft Encarta Reference Library (including Encarta
Online Deluxe (subscription))
* Microsoft Class Server Student License
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