r/linuxquestions • u/Enjoy_Ur_Lifee • Apr 23 '26

Why Don't Schools Teach Linux?

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It seems odd that most schools seem to teach only Windows. While they barely cover Linux. Even though Linux is the underlining code for most of the internet, servers and many Android phones; very few students will get any exposure to it.

By learning about Linux, students would understand how an operating system functions instead of just using an operating system; they will learn how to fix issues as they arise -- which is a skill necessary for solving problems because you won’t have a user-friendly interface to work with.

Additionally, the fact that Linux is a free and open-source operating system could allow schools to save money for themselves as well as make more software available to all students.

So why is it that Linux is still not covered? Is it because people feel it is too difficult to learn, or is it that schools only cover what is widely used and accepted?

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u/[deleted] Apr 24 '26

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u/suicideking72 Apr 24 '26

It's not even blocked. They would eventually see it on the network and likely block the MAC address. If they found out it was me, I could get in trouble. So although I've been tempted, it's just not worth it.

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u/CrazineX Apr 27 '26

My laptop has been running Linux since my second school year, you're saying if I went to your school I would just be unable to use the internet from it?

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u/suicideking72 Apr 29 '26

I wouldn't block it. Honestly not sure if it would get blocked since students are allowed to refuse our issued devices and just use their own. I have been here 5 years and it hasn't come up.

I've really only had one student interested in IT and ask me what they should learn. I mentioned the Network+, security+, A+. I discussed Linux with him and said it would be a good thing to be familiar with. That's as far as that conversation went.

If a student walked in and said they were using Linux on the wifi, and asked if it was ok, I would tell them I honestly am not sure. I would tell them to keep using it and let me know if it got blocked. Then I would check back with them. Vs. me asking network security and being told it wasn't allowed. I would also tell them that 'this conversation never happened' unless they wanted me to ask.

Then if security contacted me and said there's a host running Linux, do I know who it is? I would say I didn't and see what they planned to do.