Millions of children and adolescents worldwide have their well-being and academic performance impacted daily by violence and bullying. That is why the 2024 International Day against Violence and Bullying in Schools calls on students, their families, members of educational communities, educational authorities, other sectors, and partners, including the tech industry, to participate in preventing all forms of violence and to foster safe learning environments, which are essential for the health, well-being, and learning of children and young people.
To mark this occasion, we interviewed Isabel Arroyo, head of Liceo República de Italia Arturo Bonometti in Chillán, in the Ñuble Region. With over 40 years of experience in education and an impressive track record in school leadership, Isabel and her team have implemented a student mediation programme that promotes conflict resolution among peers. This approach not only seeks to reduce violence in the school but also aims to develop students' skills in communication and mutual understanding.
It all began in 1998 with a scholarship from Chile’s Ministry of Education, which enabled Isabel to complete an internship at the University of Berlin in Germany, where she studied strategies for incorporating community social issues into the school curriculum. “In that context, I developed a school mediation project tailored to the issues we observed within our institution,” Isabel recalls. The programme introduced at Liceo República de Italia was carried out in several stages and aimed to ensure that mediation became part of the school’s culture. As part of the programme, teachers, students, and parents were introduced to student mediation as a mechanism offering ways to resolve classroom conflicts.
The benefits of the student mediation programme have been extensive: students face conflicts with greater confidence and without resorting to violence, suspensions and expulsions have decreased, and teachers can dedicate more time to teaching. Moreover, parents report that their children apply the skills they’ve learned to their family relationships.
This experience has generated interest from other schools, and the school is now working to expand the programme to other institutions in the region. It has also attracted the interest and support of both state and international organisations.
What does the mediation programme entail, and how do you encourage students to actively engage in the process?
The school mediation programme is a strategy that promotes the peaceful resolution of conflicts between peers, significantly contributing to harmonious coexistence. It’s a tool centred on dialogue, allowing the students to feel secure and supported when facing their problems. We select students with strong communication skills and empathy, who participate on a voluntary basis. They receive training through workshops and reflective activities, which give them the confidence and motivation to take on their role as mediators. This approach not only strengthens their problem-solving abilities but also creates a support network among students.
In your experience, how has this mediation approach transformed the school environment and educational context? What changes have you noticed in your students and the broader school community?
We’ve observed a significant reduction in incidents and in the severity of conflicts. Minor issues are resolved quickly, and students feel more comfortable expressing themselves. Since they’re dealing with peers, there’s a sense of trust. We’ve also noticed that students use their own language, which facilitates understanding and conflict resolution. Overall, the school environment is now more harmonious and conducive to learning. The students themselves have told us that this methodology helps them face difficult situations with a more reflective attitude.
For those considering a similar programme, what would be your recommendations?
First, I recommend securing support from professionals trained in mediation techniques to train the student mediators. It’s important to select students with social skills that make it easy for them to approach others, and always on a voluntary basis. Additionally, it’s essential to link the mediation programme to the School Coexistence Internal Regulations (RICE), which ensures that mediation is aligned with the school’s policies and has a solid foundation in school regulations.
Throughout this process, what lessons have you learned that you’d like to share with others just starting out with school mediation?
One of the most important lessons is that each conflict is unique and requires a flexible approach to adapt to the specific circumstances of each case. Additionally, the bond between student mediators and the rest of the community has strengthened, as has the relationship between teachers and students. Building conflict-resolution skills and fostering a positive environment are key to reducing the frequency and intensity of conflicts, and we have seen how these skills benefit students not only at school but also in their family and social relationships.
