School computers are riddled with spyware & proprietary software, the fact that they use windows is bad enough, but then you are forced to use edge or chrome and other proprietary software and often you are blocked from installing open source alternatives like librewolf or duck duck go may be blocked.
What I am asking is, how can we get around this, do i just need to bring my own laptop using FOSS privacy respecting software. or is there another way around this. Thanks for the help.
Most likely can’t and shouldn’t bother. Keep your private stuff on your private devices.
But if you really really want to, go to IT well prepared with all the changes you want to make and see if they allow it.
This is the correct answer. It may be worthwhile to advocate for more privacy conscious IT in public institutions but you’ll be up against a huge amount of corporate lobbying.