The headline basically tells the story: a number of British software companies are concerned that the BBC's move into learning will "decimate" their industry. This is not a new argument and I expect we'll see more of it over the years to come. Indeed, at last night's Cracker Barrel session with Rory McGreal at CADE a private sector participant made much the same comment, bemoaning government funding of public education as "unfair competition." Well, it's competition for sure, and it's hard to compete in an open market against a government program. But look: the role of government in education is not to ensure a viable corporate sector. Governments are involved in education because it's a matter of national interest. As HRDC's Peter Larose said at today's keynote, education isn't merely about being competitive. There's a social aspect: an educated person is able to fully participate in a democratic society. And quite frankly, this just isn't on most corporateions' radar screens. Now back to Britain: the BBC is producing this material because there is a need. Sure, Britain could wait around for the private sector to find a good business case for producing it, but at what cost to British society as a whole? And finally, one more note: those companies that are in the field of learning knew getting in that government was heavily involved in the sector. So it's a bit hypocritical to now start complaining about unfair competition. It's a bit like people who build houses near the airport because the land is so cheap and then complain that their houses are being devalued by the noise of the aircraft. Sheesh.
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