Building Inclusive Peer Relationships in Indian Schools: Practical Strategies to Reduce Academic-Based Segregation

Academic-based peer segregation in Indian schools, where high-achieving students form exclusive groups, often isolates lower-performing peers, leading to emotional distress and reduced school engagement. This practitioner paper presents evidence-based strategies to build inclusive peer relationships, drawing on a mixed-methods study with 200 students and 30 interviews with students, parents, and teachers across Assam, Delhi, and Haryana. We propose peer mentoring, mixed-ability group activities, and teacher-parent workshops to promote collaboration and reduce social divides. Detailed implementation guidance, including steps, resources, and potential challenges, is provided for school psychologists, counselors, and educators. These interventions aim to enhance adolescent well-being and create supportive school environments.