I have had a number of discussions with Mediator Vikram about the use of mediation in a school setting. We have discussed enabling those students who want to be part of dispute resolution in the school setting to be encouraged to do so.
We have discussed the skills mediators have, and that although training can help, we always land on the belief that people are naturally capable of resolving disputes, when it comes to helping others.
Mediators come from a variety of professional backgrounds, and children from all backgrounds should be given the opportunity to discover their dispute resolution capabilities.
I came across this incredibly striking article outlinong how effective mediation has been at Harsham Middle School in Indianapolis, USA.
Behavioural specialist Grover Edwards established a peer mediation team in under a year, because the adults at the school were unable to stop students from fighting.
He helped students to guide conversation, but he said it was fellow classmates (peer mediators) who really helped resolve disputes at school.
“Eight out of ten disputes are resolved by peer mediation.” Edwards said. These skills are being used by the students in the community outside of the school also, which has led to a decrease in anti-social behaviour and violence. He described it as a game changer.
Great work Grover Edwards and the students at Harsham Middle School!