Heramba's School Of Academic Excellence

In Nepal, families having sufficient earnings typically prefer private schools for their children. They have a widespread belief that these institutions offer quality education compared to government-run public schools. This perception is not unfounded; recent Secondary School Education Examination (SEE) results demonstrate a significant performance gap favouring private schools over their public counterparts. However, there are notable exceptions to this trend. One such example is Viswa Niketan School in Tripureshwor, a public school in Kathmandu which is led by headmaster Heramba Raj Kadel.  

The headmaster is more than just a teacher; he is an educationist, social motivator, and inspirer in making quality education accessible to all. Under Kadel's leadership, the school has gained an exceptional reputation. The school now faces substantial pressure from parents' eagerness to enrol their children here, the need to introduce entrance examinations for admission. This high demand is a testament to the quality of education provided by the school.

Kadel's dedication, hard work, and excellent management skills have transformed a public school into a highly appreciated academic institution. The school now stand as an example of how public schools can not only compete with but potentially outperform private schools.

School's accomplishment

Kadel, speaking about the progress of his school, shared that Viswa Niketan's students have achieved outstanding results in SEE and national entrance examinations. Recently, the school topped community schools across Nepal, with five students securing a 4 GPA in SEE examinations. Additionally, the students excelled in various national exams, including those for grades 11 and 12, as well as entrance tests for medical, engineering, and law programme. These accomplishments have solidified the school's status as one of leading educational institutions across the country.

Reflecting on this success, Kadel shared, "We are the gardeners of this educational garden. When the flowers in our garden bloom and begin to spread their fragrance, it is the gardener who feels the greatest joy. The success of our students is the true measure of our success as educators."

Viswa Niketan School has demonstrated remarkable academic achievements over the years. In 2021, one of the students topped the entrance examination conducted by the Medical Education Commission. The following year, 11 students from the school received full scholarships for MBBS, BDS, and BAMS programmes, while more than 40 students secured full scholarships to reputed institutions like Pulchowk and Thapathali engineering colleges. The school's success extends to other fields as well, with students topping the BALLB entrance examination and CMAT examination. In 2015 and 2016, two students topped the public schools across the nation in SLC. Recognising these accomplishments, the school was declared a model school across the country in 2017.

Despite these national rewards, the school's leader, Kadel, humbly attributes the success to collaborative efforts rather than taking sole credit. He highlights several key initiatives that have contributed to Viswa Niketan's achievements. Teachers and employees demonstrate their confidence in the school's quality by enrolling their own children, which inspires trust among other guardians. The staff approaches their work as a service rather than just a job, showing exceptional commitment.

The school implements various strategies to support student success, including conducting extra classes for students having poor academic performances. Unlike reports of corruption in some school management committees across the country, Viswa Niketan's management committee and teacher-guardian management committee are highly supportive and efficient. The school creates a tech-savvy learning environment by using ICT-friendly teaching materials and distributing tablets and laptops to teachers.

These combined efforts have resulted in a track record of producing top performers across various national examinations and entrance tests, showcasing Viswa Niketan's commitment to academic excellence and well-rounded education.

From village to city

Kadel's life journey represents how dedication to education can transform not just an individual but an entire community. Born in the rural village of Dhading, Nepal, he completed his School Leaving Certificate (SLC) in 2042 B.S. from Chandrodaya Secondary School, Bishaltar, with first division marks. He alone secured first division with 65 per cent marks in the SLC, which was extraordinary at the time. Out of 16 students who appeared for the SLC, only six passed, and Kadel was only one to secure first division from his entire village.

Kadel, who belongs to a renowned Pandit family, said that it was a matter of pride to secure first division. "I remember my entire village celebrating my success, as it was rare for students in the area to pass SLC with such high marks."

Following this impressive result, Kadel, guided by the advice of his parents and other seniors, joined the Amrit Science Campus in Kathmandu, to pursue a career in medicine. However, despite his efforts, he was unable to secure admission to the highly competitive medical scholarship programme. He then shifted his focus to an educational venture.

Kadel completed his bachelor's degree in biology and botany from Amrit Science Campus and later pursued postgraduate studies at the Central Department of Botany at Tribhuvan University. His academic journey eventually led him to become a science teacher. Initially starting as, a temporary teacher, his passion and dedication made him a permanent teacher at Viswa Niketan Secondary School. His commitment to education and leadership qualities led him to the position of headmaster in 2015. Under Kadel's leadership, the school has seen remarkable growth. Although the school had a great reputation in the district since its establishment, the number of students had been declining in the 1990s and 2000s as private schools were mushrooming in the capital. When he first took on the headmaster role, Kadel implemented strategic reforms focused on improving academic standards, management, and the overall learning environment. These efforts have paid off significantly; the school now has over 4,500 students, reflecting its growing reputation for excellence.

Inspiring ideas

Despite the success, Kadel expressed the desire to step aside and allow new leadership to head the school. He plans to dedicate his efforts to improving the standard of public schools across Nepal through campaigns like 'Teachers Can Make a Difference'. He believes that quality education is the key to national development and every child deserves the opportunity to explore their full potential.

Under his leadership, the school has not only excelled in academics but has set new benchmarks for educational success in Nepal. His legacy as an educator and leader is already well-established, but his work is far from complete. Kadel's story is a proof to the transformative power of education and how a dedicated individual can bring a positive impact on the society. 

Kadel remains optimistic about the potential of education to bring about positive changes. He wants public schools across the nation to rise to new heights by providing quality education that equips individuals with the expertise to succeed in today's globalised world. He is an inspiration to educators everywhere, he proves that passion, perseverance, and a commitment to excellence, make everything possible.

(The author is a journalist at The Rising Nepal.)