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Free and open-source software (FOSS) is reshaping education by giving teachers and students more control over technology. In this article, we ask: how is FOSS transforming education around the world? FOSS programs let users study, modify, and share the source code freely, unlike closed proprietary tools. Here “free” means freedom (not just price). Popular free licenses like the GNU General Public License (GPL) use copyleft: if you modify the software, your version must also remain free. This principle helps ensure that classroom tools stay accessible and adaptable. Some experts also talk about digital sovereignty – the idea that countries and schools should control their own technology rather than rely on a few big companies. Open-source software supports this by allowing local customization and ownership of educational IT.

What is Free and Open Source Software?

In education, FOSS means any software whose source code is openly available and legally permitted to be used and changed by anyone. Students and teachers can share FOSS without paying license fees. For example, using a free code editor or free learning platform incurs no cost and no hidden restrictions. As one free software definition puts it, programs like these let users run, study, modify, and redistribute the software. The GPL license adds that all modified versions must remain open, so improvements made by one school benefit all. In short, FOSS respects learners’ and educators’ rights to knowledge and collaboration.

FOSS in Real-world Classrooms

In classrooms worldwide, free software is already in use. Many schools run entire computer labs on Linux (a free operating system) and open office suites. For example, Moodle is a free learning management system used by teachers to post assignments and quizzes; its community reports “nearly a billion users” globally, thanks to its open, customizable design. Another case is LibreOffice, a free alternative to Microsoft Office. It “looks and feels much like Microsoft Office” but costs nothing. Educators who switched often cite huge savings in licensing fees and better software localization. Even multimedia tools are open: schools use Audacity for audio editing and Scratch for teaching coding. Each tool’s source code is available, so advanced students can learn by seeing how the software works.

Bridging the Digital Divide

Access to technology is uneven globally, but FOSS can help close that gap. Many students have limited or no internet access; free software can work offline and on low-cost hardware. A prominent example is Kolibri, created by Learning Equality. Kolibri is an offline-first learning platform that comes on a USB or small local server and provides videos, exercises and other content aligned to national curricula. With two-thirds of the world offline, Kolibri brings “a full range of Open Educational Resources (OERs)” to remote classrooms. It supports over 173 languages and covers many subjects, making quality content available even without the internet. These open resources can be updated by a local teacher (using the GPL-like content license), then physically delivered on SD cards – a form of “sneakernet” – so no costly internet is needed. In this way, free software projects tackle equity by reaching students who would otherwise lack digital learning tools.

Learning and Collaboration

Open-source software makes computer science more than just a “black box” for students. Because the source code is public, learners can inspect and even contribute to real projects. The Free Software Foundation notes that copyleft “gives all users the freedom to redistribute and change software.” In practice, a student might examine the code of a FOSS game or educational app to understand how it works. Contributing improvements back to the project is also possible, giving students hands-on coding experience and a sense of ownership. This collaborative model turns educational tools into learning exercises themselves, fostering problem-solving and creativity while respecting intellectual property rights.

Licenses, Rights, and Digital Sovereignty

All software starts with copyright, but FOSS uses special licenses to expand user rights. As mentioned, copyleft licenses like the GPL require modifications to remain free. Similarly, most open educational content uses Creative Commons licenses that require attribution and sharing. These licenses operate within international copyright law but favor distribution and reuse for learning. One analysis defines it as having authority over “your own digital destiny – the data, hardware and software that you rely on and create.” When schools use open-source software, they can host it locally. In this way, FOSS intersects with educational rights: it aligns with UNESCO’s call for open access to knowledge and helps countries meet global education standards while keeping control.

Benefits and Challenges of FOSS in Education

Free and open-source software offers many advantages, but also has hurdles:

• Cost savings - FOSS costs nothing to download and copy. Schools save on licensing fees and hardware, since open-source systems can run on older devices.
• Customization - Teachers and admins can adapt software to local needs. For instance, Kolibri’s curriculum-alignment feature lets schools use free content tailored to national standards.
• Community support - A global network of developers and educators often backs FOSS projects. Moodle’s huge user base provides plugins and translations, fostering innovation worldwide.
• Learning opportunities - Students can inspect and modify code, gaining computer literacy. As the Free Software Foundation notes, copyleft guarantees everyone can “copy and change software.”
• Digital inclusion - By lowering barriers, FOSS can help meet education rights and Sustainable Development Goals. UNESCO highlights open licenses (like those used by FOSS) as key to accessible learning.

• Technical support - FOSS often relies on volunteer communities rather than dedicated helpdesks. Some schools may lack IT staff trained in open-source systems.
• Compatibility - Although many free tools match proprietary formats, there can be gaps (e.g. some specialized educational software may not be open-source).
• Training and awareness - Educators need time to learn new tools. Without proper professional development, even good open-source options may go unused.

Education Rights and Global Standards

FOSS connects with wider educational values and norms. Internationally, the right to education is recognized as fundamental, and many organizations push for open access to learning. UNESCO’s Open Educational Resources (OER) guidelines describe educational materials with “open license[s]” that allow free use, adaptation, and sharing. FOSS aligns with this vision: software is treated as a public resource that everyone can reuse. In fact, UNESCO’s “Open Solutions” framework explicitly includes FOSS as part of “open public goods” needed for development. UNESCO notes that such digital public goods are “essential in unlocking the full potential” of tech for the Sustainable Development Goals. By using and contributing to FOSS, educational institutions support these international goals and ensure that technology serves teaching and learning for all.

Conclusion

Free and open-source software is more than a technical option; it’s a movement that can reshape education. By empowering teachers and students with control over their tools, FOSS promotes innovation and equity. Educators have seen that open tools like Moodle and Kolibri can scale globally and reach underserved communities. Challenges remain – such as training and infrastructure – but many experts agree that open-source strategies support education as a right and a public good. As schools and policymakers explore digital education, FOSS offers a path toward inclusive, adaptable learning environments backed by international norms.

Sources

• Linux Professional Institute (2024). “Learning Equality: Transforming Education through FOSS”.
• UNESCO. “Open Solutions: OER, FOSS, Open Data…”
• Enrollify (2025). “Open Source, Global Access, and the Power of the Moodle Community”.
• Edutopia. “Making the Case for Open Source Software”.
• Free Software Foundation. “What is Copyleft?”
• UNESCO. “Open Educational Resources” (definition and recommendations).
• World Economic Forum. “What is digital sovereignty?”
• Digital Freedom Foundation. “FOSS in schools”.