06/10/2026
I’m writing to express my deep concern as a parent whose child has been attending Arya Samaj Primary School in Samabula for several years. As parents, we entrust our children to schools with the expectation of a safe, clean, healthy, and supportive learning environment. However, the current state of the school has become increasingly disappointing, concerning, and unacceptable.
For nearly four years, I’ve personally observed that many classrooms are in a deplorable condition. The walls are unpainted, giving the environment an old, dirty, and neglected appearance. Additionally, several window frames lack louvers, forcing teachers to use cardboard to cover them. This is simply unacceptable for a school where young children spend most of their day learning.
Another serious issue is the condition of the wooden block floors in the classrooms. There are numerous holes that pose a significant safety hazard to students. This incident was heartbreaking and made me question the Head of School, Mr Pravin Kapoor’s, actions regarding these pressing safety concerns. While CAPS meetings are held every term, there’s always a lot of discussion, but parents haven’t witnessed any tangible improvements in the school environment.
I’ve also noticed that both Year 4 classes have been merged into one classroom, creating an extremely crowded and uncomfortable space for students and teachers alike. This is particularly concerning because the classroom is situated in an out-of-bounds area and was previously a washroom. This raises serious hygiene and health concerns for the children studying there, especially given the proximity of the sewer system. Last term, my child was unable to attend school for nearly two to three days due to the unbearable smell emanating from the sewer line. It’s truly upsetting to imagine how the teachers and students had to endure learning in such an environment.
Furthermore, there’s a significant mosquito problem around the school compound, particularly near the Year 4 classroom. This exacerbates health and sanitation concerns for students and teachers, and parents are understandably worried about their children’s wellbeing in these conditions.
I’m also raising concerns about the condition of the boys’ and girls’ washrooms. The toilets are incredibly dirty, poorly maintained, and have a very unpleasant smell. It seems they’re not being cleaned regularly, which is highly unhygienic and unacceptable for a primary school.
Another disturbing incident occurred this week when my child came home and told me strange insects were falling from the classroom ceiling onto students’ books during lessons. They also mentioned a hairy insect that caused irritation and itchiness when touched and fell on the class teacher’s shoulder, frightening her. This clearly shows that the classroom ceilings and overall school maintenance are being neglected.
As parents, we understand that schools receive grants from the Ministry of Education to maintain infrastructure and provide essential learning resources like desks and furniture. This raises a key question: what initiatives and improvements has the Head of School implemented at Arya Samaj Primary School over the past few years? What meaningful developments have been made for the school teachers and, most importantly, the children?
The school administration and management are responsible for maintaining the school infrastructure and ensuring a safe environment. My concern also extends to the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji and the overall school management. What actions are being taken to improve student wellbeing, hygiene, safety, and learning conditions? Our children deserve clean, safe, well-maintained classrooms conducive to learning.
I urge the relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Education, school management, and the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji, to investigate and take immediate action. This is urgent to prevent serious injury or illness due to poor school conditions. Parents deserve transparency, and students deserve a safe, healthy, and supportive learning environment.
I expect the relevant authorities to take this seriously and conduct a thorough inspection of the school’s conditions and management.
Yours faithfully,
A Concerned Parent
