On February 2, 1925, in a modest rented building near Kapileshwar Road, close to the railway crossing, a quiet revolution in education began. Seven young, idealistic teachers—armed not with wealth or influence, but with conviction—came together to serve society through learning. That small beginning, known as the Model English School, would grow over the next hundred years into one of Belagavi’s most respected educational legacies: B.K. Model High School and the Belgaum Education Society.
Those seven founder teachers—Shri R.B. Kulkarni, Shri K.V. Bhandari, Shri N.K. Mujumdar, Shri R.K. Potdar, Shri V.G. Hosurkar, Shri L.K. Mujumdar and Shri V.D. Joshi—were encouraged and fully supported by six towering figures of Belgaum’s public life: Dr. H.V. Savanur, Shri D.V. Belvi, Shri Narayanrao Joshi, Shri V.G. Jigajinni, Shri Balwantrao Datar and Dr. V.G. Nargundkar. Together, these 13 visionaries laid the foundation of what would later be formally registered as the Belgaum Education Society in 1946, under the presidentship of Shri D.V. Belvi.
What started with just 85 students soon witnessed an overwhelming demand for admissions. In 1932, Shri D.V. Belvi generously offered his Patil Galli building at a nominal rent, enabling the school to expand. By 1934, it became a full-fledged high school and was named B.K. Model High School, following a generous donation by Smt. Laxmibai Bandopant Kulkarni in memory of her husband.
A major milestone came in 1962, when the school moved to its present campus in the Cantonment area, built on 3.75 acres of land secured with the support of Shri Balwantrao Datar and others. Though envisioned as an “E-shaped” structure, financial constraints allowed only part of the building to be completed—an unfinished dream that the institution still hopes to fulfill with alumni and public support.
In 1967, the school took another progressive step by bifurcating into a boys’ and girls’ high school, leading to the establishment of Smt. Ushatai Gogte Girls’ High School, named after a generous donation by Shri Raosahab B.M. Gogte. The primary section continued as co-educational, reinforcing the Society’s inclusive ethos.
Over the decades, the Belgaum Education Society steadily expanded, today nurturing students through seven institutions:
- B.K. Model High School (1925)
- Ushatai Gogte Girls High School (1967)
- N.S. Pai Pre-Primary & Primary School (1992)
- Vasudev Ghotge Model English Medium School (2005)
- Vitthalacharya Shivanagi Pre-Primary & Primary School (2010)
- Model Science & Commerce P.U. College (2013)
- Shridevi Dasappa Shanbhag Model Primary English Medium School (2016)
Guided by a long line of dedicated presidents, office bearers and visionary headmasters, the institutions became known for discipline, academic excellence and sporting achievements. The SSLC pass percentage has consistently remained above 70%, with several state and city toppers emerging from its classrooms. In sports—especially cricket and volleyball—students have brought pride to the school and the city.
Equally significant has been the institution’s commitment to local languages, with Kannada and Marathi continuing as the medium of instruction in several schools—preserving culture while shaping capable citizens. Scouts, NCC, Interact Club, Atal Tinkering Labs, sports clubs and cultural activities have ensured the all-round development of students.
From these classrooms have emerged IAS officers, scientists, educationists, entrepreneurs, police officers and senior government officials, serving the nation across India and beyond. The strength of the institution has always been its people—teachers who treated teaching as a mission, students who carried values for life, and alumni who never forgot their roots.
Today, as the institution steps into its centenary year, the Belgaum Education Society is celebrating not just a date, but a journey.
Addressing the media, Society President Shri Avinash Potdar announced that the Centenary Celebrations will be held from December 20 to 26, with cultural and educational programmes every evening at 5.30 pm. Highlights include a grand procession of students and staff, alumni reunions, cultural performances, and the presence of eminent personalities such as MP Shri Tejasvi Surya, Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi, Shri. Iranna Kadadi MP, Shri Sachin Pilgaonkar, Dr. Girish Oak and Shri Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar, among others. Over 1,500 alumni have already registered, with daily attendance expected to touch 3,000.
General Secretary Shri Srinivas Shivanagi described the centenary as a moment of gratitude—towards the founders, promoters, past presidents, headmasters, teachers, parents and alumni who built and sustained this legacy.
As the celebrations unfold, the institution also looks ahead—with dreams of completing unfinished buildings, rebuilding the century-old girls’ school structure, strengthening infrastructure, embracing technology and, one day, starting an English-medium school to equip students for a global future.
A hundred years ago, seven young teachers lit a small lamp of learning.
Today, that flame burns brighter than ever—a beacon of education, values and hope for Belagavi.