The project is an inter-school strategic partnership project in partnership with Romania,Bulgaria,Italy and Poland under the coordination of Turkey.100 students and 32 teachers will participate in five LTT activities within the scope of the project. Participants are students aged 15-16,who are considered to be trusted by their friends,with different disadvantages, and will be voluntarily included in the mediation system made up from teachers from different branches and guidance at the first place. With the admission of students without exams for the last two years,students who came to our school with a low score and grade point average have changed the school climate and student structure negatively.The conflict between the educational,social and economic factors triggered by this change and the search for identity of adolescent students leads to unwanted conflicts beween them. These conflicts among students brought the search for a solution to this problem.In our researches,it was observed that Peer Mediation and leading student training program was successfully implemented in schools in Europe. Peer Mediation is an application that offers students creative solutions in the face of all kinds of disagreements and conflicts they encounter in their school lives,with the understanding of win-win,that is,the ones that do not lose. According to this definition, students are expected to be active in peer mediation. However,the fact that the studies carried out in our country are geared towards teachers and the inability to fully understand what to do in the direction of educating mediator-leading students in schools makes the solution difficult. The main goal of our project, which is formed with the participation of schools that have similar problems in Europe and successfully implement this program, is to train leading students who can understand and apply effectively the concept of peer mediation in schools as a solution to bullying and to train teachers to direct this procedure. For this purpose,the first LLT in Romania,where LTT activities and local practices will train teachers to manage the mediation process, with simulation,role play,sub-group work and workshops that will progress with the logic of flipped classroom.Along with peer mediation method of the students,we want reach our go by the training of basic knowledge and skills given in Bulgaria,Poland,Italy and four LTT activities to be held in Turkey. In summary with this project; • Students will be provided with acquisitions such as being active,sharing,communication,initiative,leadership skills, problem solving,conflict management with Peer Mediation Training • Peer Mediation Implementation Plan will be implemented in order to increase the school success of students who are bullied,improve school adaptability,learning skills,acquire social skills and support psychologically • The ability of teachers to manage the mediation process and students to take the role of mediation in conflicts will develop and strengthen • With the constructive conflict resolution, peer conflicts will be reduced by 60-80% • With the decrease in the number of conflicts,annual discipline events will decrease • Healthy learning environments will be created to prevent absenteeism and school failure • Peaceful school climate will be formed. In addition; • Teachers will spend less time and energy trying to resolve conflicts between students and manage unwanted behavior • It will reduce the power-based approach to authoritarian,punitive discipline and increase the restorative one • It will affect the school climate positively as it will cause the relations between student-student and student-teacher to be more positive and constructive • It will increase the time teachers devote to teaching and students to learning • The pressure of school discipline problems on teachers and school administrators will decrease,and the time allocated to discipline problems will decrease • Conflict resolution and Peer Mediation training will improve the classroom and school atmosphere,and will decrease the tension in school. In addition to this,academic achievement will increase and early school dropouts will decrease with the increase in the quality time students spend at school and the change in their attitudes towards the lessons.Thus,it is expected that the number of students who will continue higher education with the increase of academic success will increase in the long term. In addition,the analysis of the general discipline reports at the end of that year will be another indication of whether the project has achieved its objectives since the implementation of the mediation method after the project has started. Thus,it will be revealed how Peer Mediation can be used as a model for students to improve their academic achievements and increase their quality and success in education in developing a peaceful school culture in preventing conflicts between students in the long term.
The "Peace in Class, Peace in School" Erasmus+ project successfully implemented a comprehensive Peer Mediation program across five partner schools in Romania, Italy, Bulgaria, Poland, and Turkey. It aimed to address conflicts and bullying, ultimately fostering a more positive and harmonious learning environment. The project targeted conflict resolution and bullying, addressing the challenges arising from changing student demographics and educational inequalities. The project emphasized training for both teachers and students in effective conflict management and Peer Mediation strategies. The comprehensive Learning, Teaching, and Training (LTT) activities were conducted across the partner countries, facilitating the development of key competencies among participants. Through these activities, the project achieved significant milestones: 1. Enhanced Teacher Skills: Teachers gained vital competencies in managing Peer Mediation processes, nurturing effective communication and conflict resolution skills. 2. Empowered Student Mediators: Students developed leadership and conflict resolution skills, fostering a more positive and understanding school culture. 3. Cultivation of Intercultural Competence: Participants engaged in intercultural learning, promoting cooperation and teamwork among diverse student and teacher populations. 4. Sustainable Implementation of Peer Mediation: The project established a sustainable framework for integrating Peer Mediation programs into school curricula, ensuring a long-term commitment to conflict resolution practices. 5. Strengthened Educational Environment: By reducing conflicts and fostering constructive conflict resolution, the project contributed to improved academic performance and overall student well-being. 6. Enhanced Professional Development for Teachers: Participating teachers gained international exposure, fostering professional growth and the enrichment of teaching methodologies. 7. The project's successful outcomes lay the foundation for a lasting impact, promoting a culture of understanding, respect, and peaceful conflict resolution. The acquired skills and experiences have equipped both students and teachers with valuable life skills, contributing to their personal and professional development. The project's comprehensive approach has created a positive and supportive educational environment, fostering the growth and success of all stakeholders involved. 1st LTT - Learning, Teaching, and Training Activities in Onești, Romania: During the initial training, teachers acquired essential mediation skills, such as active listening, constructive feedback, mediation support, and managing sessions. This enabled them to effectively guide and support student mediators. Additionally, the international collaboration facilitated the sharing of best practices, promoting a more comprehensive understanding of conflict resolution methodologies and fostering international partnerships. 2nd LTT - Learning, Teaching, and Training Activities in San Pellegrino, Italy: The program focused on developing communication and anger management skills among students, emphasizing empathy, emotional awareness, and effective conflict resolution. This empowered students to better understand different perspectives and manage emotions, leading to improved interpersonal relationships and a more constructive conflict resolution approach. 3rd LTT - Learning, Teaching, and Training Activities in Haskovo, Bulgaria: Students and teachers deepened their understanding of mediation concepts and interpersonal conflicts, learning to recognize, analyze, and resolve conflicts effectively. They gained crucial skills in communication, empathy, and problem-solving, fostering a more supportive and cooperative school environment. 4th LTT - Learning, Teaching, and Training Activities in Rzeszów, Poland: Participants focused on enhancing problem-solving skills and promoting constructive and peaceful agreements. Through effective conflict resolution and negotiation techniques, students developed leadership skills and the ability to mediate, fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual understanding among peers. 5th LTT - Learning, Teaching, and Training Activities in Ankara, Turkey: The final mobility showcased the holistic application of the Peer Mediation program, emphasizing combating violence and bullying, emotional intelligence, and alternative conflict resolution methods. It facilitated the development of essential conflict resolution skills and enhanced cultural awareness and cooperation, contributing to participants' personal and professional growth. The program's long-term benefits include improved academic performance, reduced absenteeism and disciplinary issues, and increased student well-being and engagement, reflecting the project's enduring commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive educational environment.