Age is but a number. Physically one may be diminished butknowledge gained over the years is now tinged with humour and an acceptance ofhuman foibles. For Ulhas Pai Bhatikar, it has been a very interesting journey.Despite retiring at 60 as the Headmaster of the government High School atSadolshe in Canacona, Ulhas Pai Bhatikar, still has education on his mind.Sadolshe village, a dot on the map of Goa, has one national and five stateaward winner teachers and a great history.
“I am proud to be a part of the Sadolshe School,” says Bhatiker,narrating its history. He began his career as a teacher in 1970, was approachedby his village people when the government decided to close the Sadolshe School,due to a lack of students. The school meant a lot to the people of Sadolshe.The villagers urged Bhatikar to take charge of its revival.
He said “We met Manohar Parrikar, the then CM of Goa andnarrated in short the history of this school. He granted us one academic year.I was transferred as the headmaster to this school in January 2002 and giventhree months” says Bhatikar who took this as a challenge and decided to divertthe urban flow of students to this school. He left no stone unturned to makehis school an ideal school, not only in Canacona, but in the whole of Goa.
His recipe for the turnaround was sincerity and a lot ofhard work. Bhatikar said, “The school which lacked basic facilities was a denfor gamblers in the night. Gradually I started water, electricity and put anend to the gambling in the school premises. We were very strict and visited theresidence of each and every student.”
He made every third Saturday an open house. The parents ofthe students would preside over the annual day celebrations. They were selectedby a lucky draw. Bhatikar introduced schemes like home work and time table forthe teachers and started an initiative to make students colour theirclassrooms.
This resulted in Bhatikar managing to get extensions everyyear. He increased the number of students and the passing percentage. The yearhe retired, his school achieved a 100 per cent pass result in SSC. “That’s mybiggest reward. My students are my medals,” says this humble teacher whoseservices have been recognised and feted by many.
With rewards and recognition for good work, Sadolshe Schoolkeeps marching on the road to progress.
