Today's lesson is pirate software

Malaysian schoolchildren and teachers are to be allowed to use pirated software under a radical plan being considered by the country's government.

The nation's Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs is thinking of granting permission to schools to use pirated software for educational purposes.

According to Malaysia's Sunday Star newspaper, minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin believes that the use of pirate software would increase computer literacy among schoolchildren.

"We are concerned over the rampant sale and use of pirated computer software in the country and will continue to conduct raids to curb it," Muhyiddin said.

"But for educational purposes and to encourage computer usage, we may consider allowing schools and social organisations to use pirated software."

Many observers see this as the government trying to cut the costs of installing software in its schools.

Software manufacturers have said they are concerned that a government should be legitimising any form of piracy.

Malaysia has a thriving piracy market and many state schools are already using pirated software in a bid to cut costs.