Chernihiv schools actively implement restorative practices

During the autumn holidays, training courses “Basic Skills of a Mediator of the School Understanding Service” were held for pilot schools in the Chernihiv region.

At the request of the administrations of educational institutions, the Chernihiv Public Committee for the Protection of Human Rights continues to share its experience in creating a safe school environment.

The participants of the next training were students of grades 8-10 of Chernihiv Lyceum No. 32, schools No. 33 and No. 21 of the city of Chernihiv, as well as the Menka Gymnasium, the Menka OZZSO named after T.G.Shevchenko, and the Pryluky Gymnasium No. 5 named after V.A.Zatolokin.

The purpose of the training course is to prepare student volunteers who will be engaged in resolving conflicts among their peers on the basis of the established understanding service at school.

The School Understanding Service

is a team of trained high school students-mediators who, under the guidance of a social educator or psychologist, help their peers resolve conflicts peacefully and work to create a safe environment in the educational institution. To achieve this goal, mediators use restorative practices – peer mediation, mediation of conflict situations, decision-making circles, family group meetings, training exercises on the formation of conflict resolution skills, etc.

The trainings were held according to the model of engaged learning, with constant discussion, creative tasks, group work and creative presentation of information. The participants mastered new knowledge and methods of mediation, developed their own communication skills that mediators need, and formed a new approach to conflict resolution, in particular by taking into account the interests of all participants in a conflict situation.

In addition, during the classes, students and teachers had the opportunity to share with each other their experience in resolving various conflict situations that arise at school and beyond, jointly discussed similar situations, and developed recommendations for behavior and response during a conflict.

The training trainers were trained facilitators, students of Gymnasium No. 31 in Chernihiv and the head of programs of the Chernihiv Public Committee for the Protection of Human Rights

Kateryna Dankova

.

According to Kateryna Dankova, mediation, that is, a peaceful way of resolving conflicts, is becoming increasingly popular. Back in 2010, the School Understanding Service model was recommended by the Ministry of Education and Science for implementation in educational institutions of Ukraine as an effective tool for reducing violence and cruelty in the youth environment and preventing offenses among children and youth.

“During two 4-day trainings, we managed to form real teams of schoolchildren and social educators who will be able to apply mediator skills in practice and help resolve conflicts, disputes, and misunderstandings on the basis of the created School Understanding Services,” said

Kateryna Dankova

.

Upon completion of the training, all participants in the “Basic Skills of a School Understanding Service Mediator” training received certificates.

The project is implemented by the Chernihiv Public Committee for the Protection of Human Rights with the support of the Canadian Foundation for Local Initiatives.