Publication - FOI/EIR release

Potential issues arising in schools due to Microsoft changing its licensing rules: FOI release

Published: 8 January 2025
Topic: Education, Public sector
FOI reference: FOI/202400430230
Date received: 4 September 2024
Date responded: 20 November 2024

Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

Information requested

1. Please confirm on what specific date Education Scotland was made aware of the potential issues that may arise in schools due to Microsoft changing its licensing rules, meaning accessing Microsoft Word and PowerPoint offline through Glow may cease to be an option for teachers and pupils.

2. Please provide me with a copy of any correspondence or meeting minutes on this date where Education Scotland was made aware.

3. Please provide me with a copy of any correspondence, meeting minutes, notes from phone calls about the issue mentioned in question 1, between Education Scotland and a) Scottish Government, b) Councils, and c) the EIS from the time Education Scotland became aware of the issue, and July 2024.

Response

Question 1

The answer to your question has already been published on the Scottish Government website at the following links:

Microsoft changes to licensing rules - FOI release

Education Scotland communication with Local Authority Glow contacts regarding the expiration of the A1 Plus licence: FOI release - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain the information from the links above, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

Question 2

This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that Education Scotland does not have the information you have requested.

Question 3

Please find enclosed at documents (01 - 68) the correspondence Education Scotland has had with (a) Scottish Government and (b) local authorities.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information within the documents you have requested because exemptions under sections 30(b)(i) – Substantial inhibition to free and frank provision of advice, 30(b)(ii) – Substantial inhibition to free and frank exchange of views, and 38(1)(b) – personal information of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why these exemptions apply are explained in Annex A to this letter.

This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that Education Scotland does not hold the information you have requested on correspondence with the EIS.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.