The Guardian view on crowdfunding schools: lessons in unfairness | Editorial
From sponsored bike rides to tombolas and auctions, fundraising drives are part of the fabric of our lives. They can help to strengthen social ties as well as raising money - as when parents bond with teachers across tables loaded with jumble or cakes. Funds raised in this way have long provided valuable extracurricular extras for schools, helping to pay for trips or special projects such as pantomimes or gardens. And there is no reason why communities should not seek to add to the resources supplied by the state.
What they cannot do, and should not be forced to attempt, is compensate for the state's shortcomings. When schools are forced to fundraise for essentials such as pencils, no amount of the goodwill associated with donations can disguise the underlying problem. Yet an investigation by the Guardian shows that the line has been crossed decisively and that such drives are becoming routine. About 100 schools in England have Amazon wishlists including such items as erasers and glue; another 10 are asking for soap, vacuum bags or other cleaning products. Last month, one Surrey headteacher revealed that cuts have led to her helping to clean her school's toilets and serving in the canteen. Evidence of the damaging effect of cuts on special needs provision and in narrowing the curriculum is widespread. Last month 7,000 headteachers united to warn of a "funding crisis" in a letter to parents sent after education secretary Damian Hinds refused to meet them. They are right.
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