From the Keyword:-Shuttleworth dept.:
A new model for sustainably implementing computer laboratories in underprivileged schools is being piloted by Tuxlabs, a division of the Shuttleworth Foundation. Tuxlabs has partnered with a Sowetan entrepreneur, who will sell services in a school's open source laboratory to the community once the school day ends.

..."What the pilot will try to address within schools is the constant problem of sustainability and promoting use of labs, maintenance, and general issues around computer problems. Schools themselves don't have the time or resources to take advantage of the fact that there's a community around them that also requires these services, so they can't use the computers and internet access to generate funds. By using an entrepreneurial partner, one can address issue of sustainability and funds, that can be used as funds for school, to maintain the lab, and pay someone's salary," says Hilton Theunissen, open source project lead, The Shuttleworth Foundation.

To stimulate interest amongst students, Nkosi will be starting a geek club amongst learners. The geek club will be exposed to open source in the workplace, with trips to open source companies, and will also be able to get computer certifications like the OpenICDL and LPI certifications.

tectonic