Legendary principal Jai Narayan dies at age 93
Prominent education personality, Jai Narayan, 93, has died. Mr Narayan started teaching at Natabua High School and later moved to Jai Narayan College formerly known as Indian High School, where he remained for more than 50 years.
He was originally from Nawaka, Nadi. He died at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWM) in Suva at 4am on Sunday.
Mr Narayan served as a principal of Jai Narayan College for 32 years.
Mr Narayan had three sons and one daughter.
His wife Irene Jai Narayan died July 29, 2011. She was a National Federation Party politician and a member of parliament. She came to Fiji in 1959 after marrying Jai Narayan. She started as a school teacher before turning to politics.
At the end of 1969, Mr Narayan was called upon to manage the school after the principal resigned. Mr Narayan remained as the principal till 1996. The new principal who replaced him lasted six months. Mr Narayan was recalled to be principal again. He continued in that position until April 1999. The school, previously known as Indian High School, was named after Mr Narayan following the Fijian Government’s policy of abolishing race-based school names.
Towards the end of 2009, he was appointed as consultant and adviser and also the manager of the college. Chairman, Mehboob Raza, said that the school achieved it’s pre-eminence among the secondary schools in the country during Mr Narayan’s time. Mr Raza said Mr Narayan had been instrumental in making the then Indian College a centre of academic excellence.
“The college owes much of its success to Mr Narayan and his been the moving spirit behind most of its achievement,” he said.
Mr Raza said being the adviser and consultant to the school the college achieved 100 per cent passes in their external examinations.
“Even at this advanced age he used to come to the college every day until the last few days weeks when he became sick,” he said. “He remained a great adviser to the students and teachers on the methodology of education.”
He further said that during Mr Narayan’s period, major development took place in the college.
“A computer centre with a hall holding a capacity of 1000 students was erected and a state-of-the-art library was constructed having staff rooms,” he said.
“In 2016, 10 shelters for the students were constructed.
“He was instrumental in improving to having a new ground facilities which undoubtedly will be used by the students.”
He said that Mr Narayan’s contribution towards the school was enormous to say the least and a vacuum would be almost impossible to fill.
“He was the most generous, loving, caring person, especially towards the students,” said Mr Raza. “Very dedicated person I had the opportunity and privilege to work with him in school and board meetings and he will be missed.”
School principal, Ane Rika said Mr Jai Narayan was very passionate about education.