In a small zinc-roofed room in Changunarayan-8, Bhaktapur, a young girl named Goma Shrestha has done something amazing. She earned a perfect 4.0 GPA in the Secondary Education Examination (SEE) 2081, a big test for students in Nepal. Not only did she get a perfect score, but she also ranked among the top 30 students in Bhaktapur district and became the highest scorer in her municipality. Her story is one of hard work, big dreams, and never giving up, even when life is tough.
Goma is a student at Mahendragram Secondary School in Changunarayan-8. After school, she would go to the brick kiln where her parents work. A brick kiln is a place where people make bricks by baking clay in a hot oven. It’s hard, dusty work, and Goma’s parents, Meen Bahadur Shrestha and his wife, work there to earn money for their family. Goma, who is now 16, would help them carry heavy bricks or do other tasks, even though she was tired from school. But she never let this stop her from studying.
Originally from Ramechhap, a district far from Bhaktapur, Goma moved to Changunarayan when she was just four years old. Her father wanted a better life for his family. He said, “We were poor, but Goma loved to study since she was little.” So, they packed up and came to Bhaktapur, hoping for better opportunities. Meen Bahadur found work at the brick kiln, and Goma started going to Mahendragram Secondary School, a community school nearby. Community schools are free, but they often don’t have as many resources as private schools. Still, Goma worked hard and proved that where you study doesn’t matter if you have determination.
Every day, Goma balanced her schoolwork with helping her parents. She would wake up early, go to school, and then head to the brick kiln to help. At night, in their small zinc-roofed room, she studied by the light of a small lamp. The room is tiny, with just enough space for Goma, her parents, and her three siblings. But Goma didn’t complain. She kept her books neat and studied every chance she got. “I want to be a doctor,” she says with a big smile. “I want to help people who are sick.” To become a doctor, Goma plans to study science in her higher secondary education, which starts after SEE.
On the day the SEE 2081 results came out, Goma was working in a farmer’s field, planting paddy. She rushed to check her results online and couldn’t believe her eyes—she had scored a perfect 4.0 GPA! This means she got the highest marks in every subject. Out of 438,896 students who took the SEE across Nepal, only 48,177 scored between 3.6 and 4.0 GPA, and Goma was one of them. Her school, Mahendragram Secondary School, was so proud. Her teachers said she was always focused and asked questions in class. She also helped her friends understand tough topics.
Goma’s success didn’t stop at her school. She became the highest scorer in Changunarayan municipality and was among the top 30 students in all of Bhaktapur district. This is a huge achievement because Bhaktapur has many schools, and the competition is tough. Her story spread quickly, and people started talking about her on social media. One person wrote on X, “Goma Shrestha, daughter of a brick kiln worker, scored a perfect 4.0 GPA in SEE. She’s an inspiration!” Another post said she lives in a small room but has big dreams.
Because of her amazing results, Goma caught the attention of Durlabh Thapa, a Member of Parliament from Bhaktapur. He announced a full scholarship for Goma to continue her studies. This means she won’t have to worry about money for school fees, books, or uniforms. Goma was so happy when she heard the news. “I want to thank everyone who is helping me,” she said. “I will study even harder to become a doctor.”
Goma’s story shows that hard work and dreams can change your life. Even though her family doesn’t have much money, and she lives in a simple zinc-roofed room, she never gave up. She studied at a community school, worked at the brick kiln, and still found time to learn. Her parents are proud of her. Her father, Meen Bahadur, said, “Goma is our hope. She shows us that anything is possible.” Her mother added, “She is a strong girl with a kind heart.”
In Nepal, the SEE 2081 results are important because they decide what students can study next. The new grading system, started by the Curriculum Development Center in Bhaktapur, doesn’t say “pass” or “fail.” Instead, it gives students a GPA to show how well they did. Goma’s perfect 4.0 GPA means she can choose any subject she wants for higher secondary school. She picked science because it’s the first step to becoming a doctor.
Goma’s story is not just about getting good grades. It’s about courage, hard work, and believing in yourself. She wants to inspire other kids, especially those who think they can’t succeed because they don’t have a lot of money. “If I can do it, you can too,” Goma says. “Just keep trying and don’t give up.”
As Goma prepares to start her science studies, her family, teachers, and community are cheering for her. Her small zinc-roofed room in Changunarayan-8, Bhaktapur, is filled with hopemony hopes she can help people who are sick and make her parents proud. With her perfect 4.0 GPA and a scholarship to support her, Goma is on her way to making her dream come true.
