Sushmita BK teaches Mathematics at Shree Hiradevi Basic School, Melamchi Municipality-10, Sikharpur, Sindhupalchowk.

“I lived the toxicity in school because I was a Dalit, but it won’t be the same with my students.”

She vividly remembers the inhuman words directed at her: “Hey, don’t sit there. Go to the back corner of the class because you are a Dalit. You cannot touch anyone.” As a child who simply wanted to learn and make friends, she was instead cast aside—forced to drink water separately, eat lunch alone, and sometimes even stand the entire period while others sat.

Seeking help from teachers brought no relief; some ignored her pleas, while others laughed in her face. Unlike many students who look up to their teachers, Sushmita had none to call her favorite. But despite the discrimination, she refused to let her identity define her limitations. When she topped her class in Mathematics, she realized that hard work and dedication could silence disrespect.

Born and raised in a small village in Sindhupalchowk, she always dreamed of serving her community. Caste discrimination remained a harsh reality, but she refused to let it dictate her future. Her determination to pursue education only grew stronger. One day, while walking near a Gumba, she met a young boy and asked what grade he was in. His response changed her life: “I dropped out because we have schools, but no teachers.”

That moment became her calling. She decided to become the teacher she never had—the teacher every child deserves. Now, as a Math Saathi Teacher 2021 at Hiradevi Basic School, she is not just teaching numbers but also breaking barriers. Her goal is to connect life with Mathematics, proving to her students that knowledge and education—not caste—should define their future.