Abstract
School mediation (or peer mediation) is an effective practice for resolving student-centered conflicts in the school context. According to the results of this qualitative research conducted at Secondary Education Schools of Western Attica (Greece), an area with particular social characteristics, school mediation programmes are a dynamic process and can contribute to: teamwork, communication and activation of students, changing attitudes and behaviors as well as inclusion of students with behavioral problems. These results are achieved despite the heterogeneity of the education programme followed and the heterogeneity of the population attending them. Under no circumstances, however, the implementation of a school mediation programme can be considered a panacea. On the contrary, it is proposed to be accompanied by other actions that will promote a different management spirit of the school and will improve the school climate.
Highlights
School mediation constitutes a process of peaceful resolution of a conflict in school life, between two or more disagreeing students with the help of a third and neutral student - the mediator - through a structured process with clear boundaries, active participation and direct communication of Parties, and having the purpose of constructively resolving the dispute (Artinopoulou, 2010, p. 144)
In Greece, school mediation is supported by the Child’s Ombudsman (2013), it is a proposal by the Ministry of Education (Center for European Constitutional Law, 2015) and recognized in the findings of the National Dialogue on Education (Porismata, 2016)
In the Greek educational system, school mediation programmes are implemented beyond school hours in Secondary Education over the past decade as annual extracurricular programmes of Health Education
Summary
School mediation constitutes a process of peaceful resolution of a conflict in school life, between two or more disagreeing students with the help of a third and neutral student - the mediator - through a structured process with clear boundaries, active participation and direct communication of Parties, and having the purpose of constructively resolving the dispute (Artinopoulou, 2010, p. 144). School mediation constitutes a process of peaceful resolution of a conflict in school life, between two or more disagreeing students with the help of a third and neutral student - the mediator - through a structured process with clear boundaries, active participation and direct communication of Parties, and having the purpose of constructively resolving the dispute The implementation of school mediation programmes has positive results both for the participants (pupils/students) and for their primary and secondary schools (Artinopoulou, 2010; Association for Conflict Resolution, 2007; Bitel & Rolls, 2000; Burrell, Zirbel & Allen, 2003; Cremin, 2007; Haynes, Haynes & Fong, 2004; Johnson & Johnson, 1996; Center for European Constitutional Law, 2015; Liebmann, 2000; Stitt, 2004; US Department of Justice, 2000). The topics of Health Education, according to the documents of the Greek Ministry of Education in recent years (HMERRA, 2017; Stappa-Mourtzini, 2004), indicatively include four related fields:
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.