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New Deakin University research has revealed the significant challenges faced by public school principals in Australia due to the increasing reliance on philanthropic funding.

The study, led by Centre for Research for Educational Impact (REDI) senior research fellow Dr. Emma Rowe, highlights the systemic issues and the impact of competitive grant chasing on school leaders.

Drawing upon survey and interview data from public school principals across Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales, and the Northern Territory, the paper, published in the journal Australian Educational Researcher, examines the effects of philanthropic funding on public schools, particularly focusing on the involvement with the registered charity, Australian Schools Plus.

Dr. Rowe emphasized the double-edged nature of philanthropic funding.

"While philanthropic grants provide much-needed resources, they are not a sustainable solution to the systemic under-funding of public schools," she said. "The process of applying for these grants is time-intensive and detracts from the core duties of school leaders."

One of the principals interviewed in the study shared their experience with Australian Schools Plus, describing the grant process as "onerous" and "time-consuming."

The principal noted, "We received $20,000 from Schools Plus, which was a significant help, but the accountability measures and reporting requirements were overwhelming."

Dr. Rowe further explained that the reliance on philanthropic funding exacerbates educational inequities.

"Philanthropy often imposes performative accountability measures on principals, which can be detrimental to their workload and long-term school resourcing," she said. "It shifts the role of the principal from educational leader to grant chaser and revenue raiser."

The study also highlighted the broader implications of this funding model.

"Philanthropic funding is not addressing the root cause of under-funding in public schools," Dr. Rowe said. "Instead, it is creating a competitive environment where schools must constantly seek additional funds, often at the expense of their primary educational mission."

As a result of the findings, Dr. Rowe calls for a significant increase in government funding for public schools to reduce the reliance on philanthropic grants, with stricter regulations on the conditions and accountability measures imposed by philanthropic organizations to reduce burden on school principals.

In addition, she said support and resources should be provided to school principals to help them manage the demands of grant applications and reporting.

"It is essential that we address the systemic issues of under-funding in public schools. Philanthropy can play a role, but it should not be seen as a replacement for adequate government funding."