Three students - Arati Shrestha, Susmita Thapa and Iraj Parajuli- all from Bhaktapur, are believed to be among the toppers in the School Leaving Certificate (SLC) examinations- 2068 BS, RSS reports.

Arati, a student at the Barahisthan-based Mahendra Bidya Ashram Secondary School is believed to be the all-country topper among the girl students in this year´s SLC exams with 93.62 percent marks in aggregate.

The 16-year-old Shrestha of Katunje- 8 has obtained 749 out of 800 full marks in the SLC examinations. Her symbol number is 0282554.

Similarly, Susmita Thapa of Mount View English School, Balkot in the district is believed to be the second position holder among the girl students across the country with 93 percent aggregate marks. She has obtained 744 out of 800 full marks.

Likewise, Iraj from the same school has claimed that he holds the third position among boy students and is the district (Bhaktapur) topper in the SLC examinations. He has secured 93.88 percent or 751 out of 800 full marks. Chief District Officer of Bhaktapur, Jitendra Bahadur Bhandari feted the SLC toppers from the district amidst a ceremony here on Saturday.

Meanwhile, seven schools in Morang district have zero pass percentage in SLC examination last academic session- 2068 BS. Of them, six are community and one private school.

According to the District Education Office, the schools with zero pass results are the Kalyankari Secondary School (SS) Singhadevi, Shiksha Sadan SS Bayarban, Bhogateni SS Bhogateni, Rampur SS Bhogateni, Mahendra Secondary School Majhare, and Sarbajanik SS Baijanathpur and among private schools, Balbatika Boarding School had no one passed.

According to the office, some 45 percent students of regular passed in the year. A total of 912 passed in distinction and 3,197 in first division.

Arun Kalikote from Balkalyan Bidya Mandir of Biratnagar-15 secured the highest marks in 2068 BS SLC in Nepal. His percentage is 94.87 percent.

Meanwhile, one girl student committed suicide as she failed the exam. She is identified as Madhu Dewan of Biratnagar-20, who consumed poison used for killing rats. She died while undergoing treatment at Koshi Zonal Hospital. nepalnews.com