The program School Mediation and Conflict Resolution is suitable for school professionals. Psychologists, educators, teachers, pedagogical advisors, principals and deputy principals can attend the course. The program is approved by the Ministry of Education and Science was created to help schools take advantage of the possibilities of the mediation procedure in dealing with aggression at school, conflicts and aggression between peers. The program covers 9 topics where the essence of conflict and its cycle, conflict resolution styles and ways of finding solutions are considered. It introduces the mediation procedure as a means of resolving disputes and examines the basic principles of mediation, the techniques used and the ethical standards observed by mediators.
The topics that are included are:
- Concept of conflict: essence, sources, types, causes and cycle of conflict.
- Conflict resolution models and individual behavior style in conflict situations.
- Legal framework of mediation and its place in the system of alternative dispute resolution and its practical application in school.
- General provisions of the mediation procedure. Structure and stages. Video session and discussion.
- Phases and stages of the mediation procedure. Essence and features of the individual six stages. Development of mediator skills. Working with case studies, simulations and subsequent group analyses.
- Peculiarities of the behavior of the school mediator when working with cases. Demonstration and group analysis.
- Communication skills and techniques of the mediator. Study case work. Simulation followed by group analysis.
- Methodology of training peer mediators.
- Planning to introduce a mediation procedure as part of the school conflict management system: resources, referral and case management, promotion of the procedure, school conflict prevention activities.
This introductory mediator training course enables those wishing to continue their training by enrolling in a second level of mediation training with an additional 32 hours. Upon successful completion, they receive a mediator’s certificate, with which they can be entered in the Ministry of Justice’s Register of Mediators.Training is delivered through a combination of methods including presentations, exercises, role plays, demonstrations, discussions and questionnaires. Conflict situations from the school environment are simulated and mediations are conducted to resolve them.
The program includes a 50% practical part and relies on the active participation of the trainees. The non-attendance form of training is conducted online, and the instructions and the platform for the conduct are provided in advance.
Competencies to be acquired: academic, pedagogical, organizational and communicative
Teaching methods: Teaching is conducted through a combination of methods including presentations, exercises, role plays, demonstrations, discussions and questionnaires. Conflict situations from the school environment are simulated and mediations are conducted to resolve them. The preparation of a written agreement between parties to a dispute is practiced. The program includes a 50% practical part and relies on the active participation of the trainees.
Materials, technical and informational resources specific to the program
Face-to-face training takes place in a room with multimedia and a computer. The participants receive a manual for conducting the mediation procedure, the publication “The Mediator’s Book” and other educational materials supporting the training.
The expected results are: the participants are theoretically and practically prepared to conduct a mediation procedure at school. These results are measured with the following indicators:
Increased knowledge about the essence of the conflict and its manifestations at school, about the mediation procedure and the techniques for its implementation.
Improved communication and school mediation skills;
Mastered methods and approaches for teaching students – school mediators;
Increased knowledge of introducing school mediation and implementing a referral system to trained mediators.
Number of hours: 32
Number of credits: 2
Completion method: test
and practical exam (participation in simulation)
Form of training: face-to-face or online
Speakers: Dr. Daniela Kolarova and Rumen Minkovski
As an organization that is registered to train professional mediators by order LS-04-901 of 28.11.2007 of the Ministry of Justice, the Partners Bulgaria has dozens of trained mediators, most of whom are entered in the register of mediators at the Ministry of Justice.
For information and requests: partners@partnersbg.org