My primary section was in Marathi at the only primary school in the village of Balli that is at Balli – Muth. Shri Goapl Chitari was the lone teacher, teaching all the four classes of the primary school. For middle and secondary school education the only place was Cuncolim with two such schools. After liberation due to the initiative of the first Chief Minister of Goa, Late shri Bhausaheb Bandodkar, primary schools were started in most of the villages of BAlli and Fatorpa Panchayat. Efforts were made by the first Sarpanches of the two panchayats, Late Shri Venkatesh B. Ballikar and Late Shri Devappa Naik Desai to bring about some changes for the improvement of the village.
Things did not stop there. Shri Govind Dessai son of Late Devappa Dessai, along with his brothers and likeminded members founded the Goa Education Society of Fatropa. It was involved in imparting quality education to the Primary Students upto Std. IV in the name of “Govind Dessai Primary School”.Nursery and Kindergarten in the name of “Cruzinho D’costa Pre primary School” and Anil Fal Dessai School of Music Art and Culture. Mr.Govind Dessai shouldered the responsibility as president. When his term ended I was unanimously elected the president of the society which I accepted. With pride I can say, I am the son of 1st Sarpanch of Balli who encouraged the youth to sit our courtyard and study with the light of petrolmax which only few families possessed during those days. It is coincidence that the sons of the first two Sarpanches of these two villages be elected Presidents to serve the people of these villages in the education field which our fathers had cherished.
The society has a vision to make this school one of the best schools in Goa. Accordingly, they have selected persons in the committee, teachers who gave yeoman service in the field of Education. They are, Shri Kamlakar Mhalshi, Shri Sanjay Talwadkar, Dr Purnanand Chari, Mrs Maria Nativedade D’souza, Smt. Mangala Dessai and others. Knowing that 85% of brain development of a child takes place in first eight years, many programs like playing of chess, music, arts and crafts are introduced the school. Library books and reference books are updated. Children are given story books to read. Time table is prepared to take care of all activities.
We need a new school building for the increasing number of students and to provide better facilities which include sports. We have already obtained permission from the Directorate of Education to start Std V, which we intend to start from next academic year. Family of late Shri Devappa Naik Desai has been kind enough to donate their land admeasuring more than 8000 sq.m for the new school building. Society intends to buy additional land for primary school near to the present school.
With the co-operation of all of you and with active work of office bearers and members of Goa Education Society of Fatorpa, we hope to eastablish a school providing quality education to our children in the nearby villages at affordable cost.
– Shri Uday Venkatesh Ballikar