Overview On Thursday, 12 February 2026 , scores of students, parents and citizens gathered at Lohia Bhavan, Channagiri in Davangere district for a taluk‑level “Save Public Education Convention” organised by the All‑India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO) . The protest targeted the Karnataka state government's proposal to shut down government schools under the controversial KPS Magnet School scheme, which is being implemented through a Public‑Private Partnership (PPP) model financed by a ₹2,500‑crore loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) . The convention highlighted concerns over privatization of education, equity, and the broader impact on social welfare. Key Developments Development 1: Abhaya Divakar , State Vice‑President of AIDSO, alleged that the PPP model is a covert privatization of the education sector, diverting public assets to private players. Development 2: The convention demanded the immediate cancellation of the KPS Magnet School scheme and an official order to keep existing government schools open. Development 3: A resolution was passed to convene a massive district‑level protest in Davangere on 5 March 2026 , involving committee members from all taluks and representatives from 30 villages. Important Facts Fact 1: The scheme is financed through a ₹2,500‑crore ADB loan , with the official order explicitly linking the loan to the establishment of KPS Magnet schools. Fact 2: Prominent voices such as Aparna B.R. (National Leader, All India Mahila Samskrutik Sanghatan) and Gurushantappa (President, Public Education Protection Committee) emphasized that government schools are the only viable avenue for universal education, contrasting them with the proliferation of liquor shops. UPSC Relevance This episode intersects with multiple sections of the UPSC syllabus. In GS Paper II (Polity & Governance) , it raises questions about the constitutional mandate of free and compulsory education (Article 21A) and the legal limits of PPPs in essential services. GS Paper III (Economy & Social Development) can explore the fiscal implications of large‑scale foreign loans, the cost‑benefit analysis of PPPs, and the impact on equity in education. The issue also touches upon GS Paper IV (Ethics) concerning public interest versus private profit, and can be a case study for the Education Policy 2020 and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 implementation challenges. Way Forward Policymakers must balance the need for infrastructure upgrades with the constitutional guarantee of universal access to quality education. A transparent audit of the ADB loan utilization, stakeholder consultations, and a clear legal framework governing PPPs in education are essential. Strengthening the accountability mechanisms of state education departments and ensuring that any school restructuring does not compromise inclusivity will be critical to safeguarding public education.