Government to question Microsoft education role

Becta to review educational licensing programmes

Review will question whether Microsoft gives good value for education

The British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta) is to review the impact of Microsoft's educational licensing programmes on UK education.

The review will include the range, scope and cost of the licensing models available, and will also look at what alternatives are available to Microsoft's products.

Becta's chief executive, Owen Lynch, says the organisation places great importance on ensuring schools and colleges have access to products that represent good value for money.

'In areas where a single supplier is dominant particular vigilance is necessary to guarantee that this happens and that schools do not fund themselves inadvertently 'locked in' to a particular supplier,' Lynch said.

An interim report from the review is expected to be ready for June this year, and will look particularly at whether free alternatives to Microsoft products present better value.