Belief vs Fact

When we started KOOMPI in 2017, I believed every student should have a personal laptop. I still believe it. The reality is that not everyone can afford one. But everyone should be able to use a computer for learning.

Most people today own a personal computer in the form of a smartphone: powerful, portable, and good at many tasks, especially consuming information. It is not the same as a laptop or desktop for learning programming or related fields.

Students learning computer skills should also use Linux-based systems, since 70% of the internet depends on Linux.

Because personal computers are still unaffordable for many, we shifted from offering laptops to providing mini-PC desktops, and to advocating Linux, open source, and cloud-based computer labs in schools.

Two years after that shift, as of December this year, we have set up 63 computer labs. Many teachers still believe they need Windows to teach MS Office.

That belief is more psychological than practical. Microsoft has convinced people that its products are needed to get a job. Yet when we visit these labs, teachers mostly use Canva for design, other cloud applications, typing lessons, and a basic introduction to MS Office. Cloud office suites like Google Docs replace these easily. Beyond that, most programming lessons suit Linux-based systems better.

We need more education on this.

There is nothing wrong with Windows, but cracked licenses are a constant problem. Windows relies on paid applications, so even a school that pays for the operating system must also pay for more software, and that quickly becomes too expensive. There are other drawbacks, but they don't need listing here.

I still believe students who can afford it should own a Linux-based computer. Those who cannot should have access to computer labs running Linux. This produces more engineers than administrative workers. Engineers can handle administrative tasks well; administrative workers struggle with engineering tasks.

Cambodia has over 10,000 schools, and each should have at least one computer lab. Whether KOOMPI provides them or someone else does, the goal is the same: every student deserves access to good technology education. Those labs should run Linux, with open-source tools and cloud services where they fit. That is a sustainable, affordable way to give students the skills they need, to grow engineers and innovators, and to leave no student behind.

Work on the facts. Follow the belief.