“Attendance is not just about being present in the classroom; it is about being present in opportunity, in learning, and in life.” — Mr. Vividh Gupta, Principal, Bal Bhavan Public School

Mr. Vividh Gupta is Principal of Bal Bhavan Public School, Mayur Vihar, Delhi, and aims to empower educators to perform to the best of their proficiencies, keeping with the advancements of times and techniques. He is self-motivated and self-driven in taking initiatives towards social concerns and causes, and contributes to developing positive mindsets in uplifting society. In recent years, he has worked towards ecological concerns and initiated the ‘Main Bhi Gandhi’ project to encourage everyone to segregate waste at source. The school has received an Award in the gold category from the Climate Reality Project for promoting Green and Sustainable practices. It has also bagged the Vivekananda Sustainability Award to its credit for promoting a green campus and Curriculum. Under his guidance, the British Council acknowledged the school as an international school and awarded it the title of Microsoft Showcase School.

From Absence to Belonging: Empowering Students to Return, Reconnect, and Rise

At Bal Bhavan Public School, Mayur Vihar, school absenteeism solutions are more than statistics—they reflect a child’s emotional and academic well-being, self-confidence, and overall engagement. Mr. Vividh Gupta’s school leadership in Delhi recognizes the multifaceted reasons behind student absences—from academic pressure to emotional turbulence. The school adopts a proactive approach rooted in empathy, early intervention, and a strong school-home collaboration. The goal is not just to bring children back to school, but to ensure they return to a space where they feel valued, supported, and truly belong.

1. Academic Anxiety

Academic anxiety is a leading yet often overlooked cause of absenteeism. It causes students to withdraw due to inadequacy and fear of judgment. Recognising this, Bal Bhavan Public School has developed structured support mechanisms to restore student confidence—part of its holistic education India approach.

Restoring Confidence Through Structured Support and Reflective Time

Teachers at BBPSMV are trained to identify early signs of academic anxiety in students. To help students catch up, the school offers remedial classes, one-on-one mentoring, and post-school doubt-clearing sessions. Notably, each school day begins with a dedicated “Circle Time” period—an hour of calm, reflection, and peer interaction without academic pressure. This time is designed to help students catch up on missed work, clarify concepts, or simply ease into the day, fostering emotional readiness and academic consistency. Additionally, goal-setting exercises, progress trackers, and motivational sessions help students realise that setbacks are part of the learning journey and that consistent support is always available.

2. Social and Emotional Struggles

Some absentees are not avoiding academics but are struggling with emotional discomfort due to bullying, isolation, or low self-esteem. Social-emotional learning in India is integrated into this initiative.

Creating a Culture of Belonging Through Emotional Safety and Peer Anchoring

BBPSMV has cultivated a culture rooted in care and emotional safety. In-house counsellors offer a safe space for students to share their challenges, while SEL sessions are integrated into the curriculum to foster empathy and resilience. The school’s 56-member Student Council plays a pivotal role in peer support. Each council member acts as a Class Buddy, providing students with approachable peer anchors. This student-led mentorship initiative ensures that no learner feels alienated. Further support is provided by the school's vigilant POCSO Committee and sensitised faculty, trained to detect early signs of emotional withdrawal or distress, ensuring timely student mental health support.

3. The Shift in Focus Among Science Stream Students of Classes XI & XII

A recent trend among senior secondary students—especially those in the Science stream—prioritizes external coaching for NEET and JEE over regular school attendance.

Balancing Aspirations with Attendance: Shaping Scholars and Individuals

Bal Bhavan addresses this challenge through orientation programmes and workshops that help students balance coaching with school academics. Sessions on time management, discipline, and well-being highlight the value of school-based learning for holistic development. The school also offers various non-academic activities—from project-based learning to public speaking events—to nurture essential skills that coaching institutes often overlook. Teachers and mentors work closely with parents and students to reinforce the value of school participation, not just for marks, but for character and competence, tackling the tension between NEET JEE coaching vs school attendance.

4. Disturbed Sleep Routines Due to Excessive Screen Time

The lure of social media, online gaming, and digital consumption has significantly disrupted sleep patterns among students, leading to morning fatigue and missed school days.

Tackling Screen-Time Fatigue Through Family Engagement

The School Health and Wellness Club leads awareness drives and expert-led sessions to help students understand the consequences of digital overexposure and the importance of sleep hygiene. These sessions promote self-regulation and healthier routines—effective screen time impacts sleep education.

Data-Informed Approach to Wellbeing and Attendance

What sets BBPSMV apart is its data-informed approach. The school collects parent feedback through Microsoft Forms to assess students’ home environments, covering screen time, emotional health, and sleep patterns. This holistic insight enables early intervention—from counselling to peer mentorship—tailored to each student’s needs. With regular sessions on nutrition, mental health, and body-clock regulation, the school reinforces the importance of well-being as a foundation for consistent attendance.

Every Absence Tells a Story — And Every Child Matters

At Bal Bhavan Public School, attendance is not a checkbox but a vital sign of student wellness and engagement. When a student is absent for more than two days, class teachers immediately reach out through ERP messages, phone calls, or parent meetings. These check-ins are not mere formalities but opportunities to listen, understand, and act. The school does not view absenteeism as defiance but as a signal—often of stress, alienation, or difficulty. Teachers are trained to respond empathetically, focusing on teacher-student connection and relationship-building over rule enforcement.

The school’s core mission is to restore students physically, emotionally, and socially to a space of inclusive school environment. The aim is to create an environment where children feel welcomed, recognised, and empowered to grow. As Vividh Gupta aptly says, “No child should ever feel unnoticed or unsupported.” At BBPSMV, this philosophy is lived out daily through intentional practices, strong partnerships, and an unwavering belief in every child’s potential to return, reconnect, and rise—truly empowering school culture.