History Of The School

In 1934, late Pandurang Raya Bhatikar started Model Classes, the precursor to the Model English High School, with 14 students, in the veranda of Shri Dattatraya Venkatesh Pai building in Margao. The school was registered with the then Portuguese Government in 1935 and moved to the building opposite Hari Mandir in1937.

In those days schools in Goa had to be affiliated to the Bombay University to enable their students to appear for matriculation examination. Model English High School was recognized by Bombay University in 1941 and the first batch of 14 students appeared for the matriculation examination in 1942. 10 out of 14 students passed, giving a success rate of 70% in the very first year after recognition. Among those who passed in the first batch, was the late Dr. Manoharrai L. Sardesai, the eminent Goan poet and educationist.

The school gained instant popularity and by 1946, the enrolment of students had increased to 450. However strangely enough, Bombay University withdrew recognition of the school in 1946 and it was widely expected that the school would close down due to Pandurang Bhatikar’s financial inability to manage the school. Those days, schools had to be managed only on the strength of fees paid by students. As a consequence of de-recognition, the strength of the school plunged from 450 to 120 within 2 years and Bhatikar had to go through immense mental, physical and financial stress to keep the school going. It was only his self confidence, perseverance, and unshakeable faith in God that pushed him into relentless efforts to regain recognition of Bombay University.

Thanks to Pandurang Bhatikar’s single-handed herculean efforts, the school was once again granted recognition in 1949. In 1950, his eldest son Ratnaker joined the school after his graduation. Ratnaker, affectionately called Bhai by his friends and relatives, made the school his life’s mission, and along with his father, spared no efforts to give to the school its old glory. However, Ratnaker and his devoted band of teachers had to struggle for 10 long years before success came their way. Gurudas Shirodkar stood 1st in Goa in 1959 at the S.S.C. Examination of the Pune SSC Board. From then on, the school never looked back. There were some minor hiccups in 1958 when the Portuguese Government threatened to close down the school due to alleged anti-Portuguese activities. Fortunately, some well meaning Goan officials in the Government saved the school.

Activities of the school continued in the rented building opposite Hari Mandir until 1998, when Model Education Society could construct its own building in the Housing Board, Margao, primarily due to the efforts of Shri R. S. Kamat and Shri Aravind Bhatikar.

Today, the school has more than 1000 students, both at the primary and secondary level. The school has spectacular all round achievement to its credit and its students have distinguished themselves not only in the academic field but also in sports, games, quiz competitions and other co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.