For K12 Techno Services, the parent behind the chain of Orchids International Schools, the way to expand is straightforward: take over more schools. Get more students. Grow the revenue. 

But how K12 goes about it is nothing short of theatrical. 

It specifically wants struggling schools. Ones that are 40–50 years old, or have an ageing patron, or maybe a succession crisis. Or perhaps the business didn’t quite pan out as planned and now there are mounting debts. Basically, it’s keen on schools that are barely able to keep their heads........

© The Ken