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“We are not makers of history,
We are made by history.”
By Martin Luther King Junior |
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The success of any venture, be it large or small rests on how zealously the establishment is
organised and equipped to survive. Precisely, the inspiration for Ba Sanatan College came in
the mind of the late L. Vidyasagar; the then head teacher of Sarava Sanatan Primary School
and the late Ram Padarath. The two gentlemen envisioned a local Sanatan High School which
would stand as a pillar for Sanatan principles and religious teachings for time immemorial. This
was motivated by the inception of other religious based schools around the nation.
Discussions both formally and informally followed with the members of the community. Then
a working committee which accepted the suggestion was formed. Community members around
Sarava became excited and gave overwhelming support relieved that a high school would be
within reach of their children who were schooling at Sarava Sanatan Primary School.
There was unfortunately a major deterrent, inadequate funds to bring this dream into fulfilment.
An approach was made to the parent body Shree Sanatan Dharm Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji, who
came forward to assist in the establishment of a high school at Sarava in Ba. It was timely, as
a foundation membership drive was done in Ba and some farmers agreed that some proceeds
from their farms would directly go to the school’s bank account. In addition, a few prominent
businessmen of Ba also donated in cash and kind. This enthusiasm began to grow.
This intense determination came to a climax when an application to establish a high school was
made to the Ministry of Education and the permission was granted in 1971. The Pratinidhi
Sabha acquired the present eleven and three quarter acres of land for $4000.00 from the
mataqali of Koroqaqa village and the adjacent site of ten acres was bought for $1,600.00 by the
School Management Committee.
A compulsion existed to create a high school at the earliest possible so on the 15th ofDecember,
1971, the construction work began and was completed efficiently by 30th January 1972. Hence,
on 30th January 1972, a school was erected which was rightfully accorded ‘Instant High
School’, as it was constructed in only forty five days. Soon after the school was renamed as
Sarava Sanatan High School.
The first Principal, Mr Brij Lal Dayal, steered the new Sanatan High School at that time with
a roll of 99 students; 66 boys and 33 girls. The staff including the Principal were Mr Chandra
Bhan Singh, who was the first assistant, Miss Aruna Prasad and Mr Nirbhay Chand Rekha. The
school at that time was offering New Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Geography, English
Literature, English, Hindi and Fijian. Also, core subjects such as History, Physics, Art, Music
and Physical Education were offered.
The initial building consisted of three classrooms and a laboratory which was well furnished
and equipped with a prep room. At present this building is just opposite the flag poles. Mr Hari
Lal, the contractor was duly acknowledged and appreciated during that time for constructing a
school in such a short time. Those days the water source for the school was the perennial spring
in the adjacent creek. This building was officially opened by the Minister for School Service
on 5 February 1972. On 1 2 February 1972, the Honourable late Prime Minister, Ratu Sir K.K.T.
Mara visited the school giving words of encouragement.
Unfortunately, in the Year 1974, the school science laboratory and a classroom burnt down due
to an accident during an experiment in the laboratory. Yet again, the school management
committee joined hands to rebuild what was destroyed in the fire. The College continued to
grow with students, hence, it was extended in 1980 with the assistance of the Ministry of
Education to accommodate more students. Furthermore, another drive for foundation
membership was conducted and the newly elected members contributed immensely in cash,
materials, machinery and labour. Thus, a new building was erected which consisted of the
administrative office and seven classrooms.
During that time the finance committee consisted of the late Ram Pratap Tahal, late Brij Lal
Sardar, late Ram Datt Tahal, late Mani Lal, late Ambar Bhai Patel, late Hari Lal Seth and the
secretary, late S.R. Narayan. They actively and enthusiastically fundraised over $15,000.00
within two to three months. In order to do this an appeal was made to donate liberally for this
noble cause. This ambitious drive was further supported by the Ministry of Education with the
provision ofa building grant of$8,400.00 to build a Technical Education Block for Woodwork
and Domestic Science. Furthermore, the education grant began coming in which quickly grew
the confidence of the community in the school and its team of teachers.
The school was renamed in the Year 1990 as Ba Sanatan College. In 1994, it was decided that
the school needed to extend to accommodate the growing number of students. The School
Management Committee then decided to fund raise. A major fund raising event was organised
in the year 1995; the Gulnaar Carnival, which was made attractive with a Charity Queen event.
Following this event, in the year 1996, a fundraising was done during the Silver Jubilee
Celebration of the college.
With the education reforms, the demand ofmore classrooms increased. Technical subjects were
greatly encouraged at that time so teachers needed separate rooms to conduct practical and
theory classes for each of these subjects. Another fund raising was organised by Radio
Navtarang in the year 2003. Adding on to this amount, was a show organised in 2004 at Govind
Park in which a group called ‘Bad Boys’ performed.
The seed which was planted in 1972 was now blossoming for the multi-racial community of
Ba and Lautoka.
In 2000, Ba Sanatan College made history when the Fiji Football Association decided to open
a first ever soccer academy at the college. The academy was based at the College from 2000
till 2005. In addition, the Fiji Football Association also funded a borehole project which helped
in solving water problems faced at the school. A staff quarters was constructed in the Year
2001 when Mr Brij Deo was the Head of School. Academically, the school excelled in the Fiji
Year 13 Certificate Examination, for the first time attaining one hundred percent pass. From
there onwards, Ba Sanatan College’s academic results has continued to flourish in external
examinations. In 2003, the entire washroom facility was upgraded with a change room for each
gender; male and female. Then a modern computer laboratory, a classroom and a library was
built.Furthermore, in 2005, a three hours variety show was done by the Delaidokidoki band
and the Black Rose Band. All these events were a great success.
In the Year 2008, through the support of Ms Veena Sharma the College’s ex-employee;
administrative officer, the Saraswati Temple was constructed in memory of the late Mr Sundar
Lal. This cost $40,000.00. Mr Dhiren Kumar was the Principal in the year 2012 when the
academic results of the College improved further in external exams.
In the year 2015, when the Head of School was Mr Pushp Kant Sharma, the need for students’
study and rest area arose. It was then decided that a walkway would be constructed to connect
the TEST building with the Canteen and the rest of the College buildings. In addition, benches
and writing space for students to rest and study was created. Furthermore, the Home Economics
room was renovated and was given an uplift.
The year 2016 will go down in the records as the worst year since the school’s inception. The
College experienced the might ofCyclone Winston. The TEST building and the upper building;
meant for Year 12 and 1 3, was severely damaged. Furthermore, all the equipment and tools
from the Workshop and Home Economics Room was stolen in the midst of the cyclone. In
addition, the newly constructed walkway also sustained damages. Repairs after the disaster was
funded by the Ministry of Economy ensuring that the College was cyclone proof. Construction
work was done by COPE Construction Company of Suva.
In the same year, with Mrs Tokasa Wilson as Head of School, the School Management
Committee purchased a backup generator for the school.
In 2020, a decision was taken by the School Management Committee to upgrade the grounds
behind the school, the lower ground and the Agriculture garden area. The machinery utilised
on this project was from Mr Brij Dayal. In addition, the Gardener’s Maintenance Room was
constructed using two twenty feet containers, steel and corrugated iron sheets.
The year 2022 saw the school undergo a lot of changes and developments. A permanent stage
was constructed, the lower ground was graded for the second time and drainage was improved.
In addition, the school fencing work began including the construction of the main gate which
should cost around $300,000.00. This project is partly and proudly sponsored by the family of
our present President Mr Brij Dayal who will have the naming rights to the new gate.
Currently, Ba Sanatan College covers approximately twenty-two acres of land which could be
further developed into a large Educational Complex. In addition, the College provides education
from Year 9 till Year 13 level offering all the subjects prescribed by the Ministry of Education,
Heritage and Arts. The growth forecast of the College for the next fifty years should sore as
currently the school roll is nearing three hundred with thirty-two staff.
At present, the College has two large water tanks to store water and also has access to
government water supply source.
Furthermore, the Head of School, Mr Arvin Prasad, and the School Committee Members have
invested in the first ever school web site. Also, Ba Sanatan College was fortunate to receive the
Fiji Water Teacher Grant for the following projects: Nursery $4921.50 approved for Mr Kutti
Goundar (Department of Agriculture), Upgrading of library books $4996.60 received by Mr
Reemal Singh (Department of Languages), Multipurpose Projector for Office Technology
$1249.00 received by Mrs Venus Prasad (Department of Office Technology) and Girls Soccer
$5000.00 approved for Mr Shynal Krishna (Department of PEMAC).
Over the span of fifty years, the College has accomplished much. These remarkable feats from
the past will motivate future generations to keep striving for excellence.
Editorial Note: The historical information was compiled through the assistance of Mr Arvin
Singh, the Secretary of the College. |
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