When the results of the Secondary Education Examination (SEE) 2081 were published last Friday, Goma Shrestha had just returned from helping with rice planting in a local farmer’s field festival. She lives in a tin-roofed hut at a brick kiln in Sudal, Changunarayan Municipality–8, Bhaktapur.
Having appeared for the SEE from Mahendragram Secondary School in Sudal, Changunarayan–8, it was natural for her to be eager to know her results once she heard the news. In a hurry, she searched for her result online — and her joy knew no bounds when she saw it. She had passed with a perfect 4.0 GPA.
Despite studying at a public school, Goma achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA, making her one of the top 30 students in Bhaktapur. She also secured the highest score among all students in Changunarayan Municipality.
Goma’s hometown is Khaniyapani in Ramechhap. She moved to Bhaktapur with her parents at the age of four. Her father, Min Bahadur Shrestha, shared that due to the family’s poor financial condition and Goma’s strong interest in education, they left Khaniyapani and settled in Sudal, Bhaktapur.
“On one hand, we were struggling financially, and on the other, my daughter Goma had shown a strong interest in studying from a very young age. That’s why we left our hometown and came to Bhaktapur in search of work when Goma was just four years old,” said Min Bahadur. “The main reason for leaving Khaniyapani in Ramechhap was to support my daughter’s education.”
After arriving in Bhaktapur, Min Bahadur began working at a brick kiln and enrolled Goma at the nearby Mahendragram Secondary School. “Back in Khaniyapani, the school was an hour’s walk downhill from the hills. So, despite having to do labor work—carrying loads, making bricks—I decided to move to Bhaktapur for her education. Here, I worked at a brick kiln and enrolled her in a school close to it,” he explained.
Goma, who attended school during the day, grew up playing around the brick kiln yard in the evenings and mornings. As she grew older, she began helping her parents with their work. Her daily routine became a pattern: school during the day and flipping bricks to dry in the mornings and evenings. This continued almost regularly until Grade 9.
However, things changed when she entered Grade 10. “My parents told me to focus more on my studies this year. Since I had to take the SEE, the school also advised us to prioritize academics. So, I adjusted my routine and started dedicating more time to my studies. As a result, I’ve achieved good results in the SEE,” she said.
Goma shared that her goal is to become a doctor. However, she acknowledged that the only way to achieve this dream is through hard work and securing a scholarship. “I plan to pursue Plus Two in the science stream and aim to earn a scholarship to study MBBS at one of Nepal’s medical colleges,” she said. “My ultimate goal is to become a good doctor and serve my parents, my country, and the people selflessly. I understand that it will require a lot of hard work, and I’m preparing accordingly.”
