The focus of this symposium is philanthropy in education, and it poses the question: what is education for? Through this prompt question, presentations will explore how philanthropy alters the provision of education in Australia and Zimbabwe, with questions raised concerning global flows of philanthropy. The discussant is Associate Professor Stewart Riddle, whose work examines the democratisation of schooling systems, increasing access and equity in education and how schooling can respond to critical social issues in complex contemporary times. The symposium raises questions about the increasing presence of philanthropy in education, and asks, how do philanthropic funding arrangements support education, and at what cost? Further, by introducing philanthropic funds into education and reducing government support, the question is raised about who, or what, education is for?

The first paper explores venture philanthropy in Australia, and how it unfolds in the context of public schooling in Australia and the UK, with reference to governance, policy and practice and the globalised nature of philanthropic funds. The second paper explores how Australian public school parents are operating as new philanthropists, solving the problem of inadequate state funding through private capital raising. The third paper explores the role of philanthropy in schooling in Zimbabwe and how tourism creates complex dynamics in learning environments for students in schools. These papers intersect in their examination of new forms of philanthropy in schooling, and the manner in which philanthropy is fundamentally shaping public schools and government policies.

These presentations address the rising and urgent issue of philanthropy in education. As philanthropic funding increases, whether through venture philanthropy or individual-small scale philanthropy, there is an urgent need to examine the cost and gains of entrepreneurial cultures inserted into public education. As part of this unfolding, consideration is made to the question of ‘what is education for’ and who public education serves, or will serve in the future.

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