Labasa College

Labasa College is a state secondary school for Forms 3 to 7 in Labasa, Fiji. It has a roll of more than 650 students as of January 2013, including a collection of boarding students from across the Northern Division of Fiji making it one of the most diverse and academically proficient educational institutions in the country.

History

Labasa College was established as Labasa Secondary School (LSS) in 1954 and was known as that until 1978 when the name “Labasa College” was incepted. In its over five-decade history, the institution has been profoundly abbreviated to 'College' for most citizens of Northern Fiji.

After taking the school under its wing in the 1970s, the Government's proposed delivery of maximal higher education to the students of the Northern Division, the education delivery system at Labasa College was streamlined to only cater for Forms 5 to 7. This in turn resulted in Labasa College being home to the largest stream of Form 7 students for any high school in Fiji.

Although the provision of vocational education was one of the key factors for the establishment of Labasa Secondary School in the early 1950s, its importance has gradually diminished as far as the school curriculum is concerned. Its struggle to make ground once again has seen tremendous challenges as changing lifestyles and thought patterns of parents and students in the Northern Division have inevitably prioritized academic prowess above anything.

2013 witnessed the re-establishment of Form 3 education at Labasa College for the first time in almost 35 years. The graduation of the current class into Form 4 in 2014 will once again revamp Labasa College to a full Form 3 to 7 secondary school.

Architecture

In addition to a prominent stone walled stairwell to the Languages Department overlooking a scenic tarmac lined by peaking canopy trees and classrooms for Form 7 students, the scattered pattern of building locations painted in official national building colours are very distinctive of Labasa College.

Enrollment

Owing to the excellent reputation of Labasa College, the demand for places at the school has almost always outstripped capacity; making entry inevitably selective. However, the abrogation of national exams at the Form 4 level and the zoning of all Fijian schools by 2010 has led to a reduction on the demand for seats at Labasa College.

School Song / Prayer

In light of almost all that stands correct for an institution like Labasa College, an adaptation of 'Where the Mind is Without Fear' by Rabindranath Tagore is the official Song / Prayer of the College.

Annual publication

'The Labasan' is the official annual publication for Labasa College as it sums up the contrasting involvements of the school in retro.

Notable alumni and Staff

• H.E. Ben Salacakau - Ambassador of Fiji to the Republic of South Africa
• H.E. Amraiya Naidu - former High Commissioner of Fiji to Australia
• Dr. Brij Lal - Professor of Pacific and Asian History, Australian National University
• Dr. Biman Prasad - Professor of Economics, University of the South Pacific
• Dr. Brij Lal - Permanent Secretary, Education, Fiji
• Dr. Ajit Swaran Singh - first Fiji Indian to be appointed to the District Court in New Zealand
• Hon. Justice Anjala Wati- High Court and Court of Appeal Judge of Fiji 2009–present
• Mr. Mohammed Salim- Permanent Secretary for Justice
• Dr. Lavenia Cagi- CWM Hospital, Suva
• Dr. Abhnil Amtesh Prasad- Postdoctoral Research Associate at Climate Change Research Center-University of New South Wales
• Dr. Deo Karan Prasad AO FTSE - Scientia Professor in the Built Environment area at University of New South Wales
• Dr.Ravinesh Deo- Senior Lecturer in Mathematics at University of Southern Queensland
• Dr. Priya Chattier- Pacific Research Fellow, State Society & Governance in Melanesia Program at Australian National University
• Dr. Randhir Deo - Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Grand Canyon University, USA
• Mr. Ashok Mani - Principal Nadi Sangam college.

References

• Kumar, Kunal (22 June 2008). "Labasa College – A success story". Student. Fiji Sun. Retrieved 17 March 2013.