Good habits formed now last into adulthood—is more than just a school motto; it is a global priority. According to the UNESCO 2026 Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report released this Wednesday, there is an "alarming trend" of rising absenteeism worldwide, with 273 million children now out of school. While some of this is due to global crises, experts warn that for those with access to education, the "habit of showing up" is the single greatest predictor of future success.

The report, alongside a new study from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) published on May 14th, found that school attendance isn't just about grades—it’s about reliability. Students who establish the habit of consistent attendance develop higher levels of "social trust" and resilience. Conversely, chronic absence in youth is now directly linked to lower life satisfaction and higher stress levels at age 25.