The 'Peaceful School' model has the status of a nationwide educational experiment, according to the order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine dated 1 November 2019.

It is being implemented in 10 pilot schools across five oblasts of Ukraine: Lviv, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv and Odesa. These are general secondary education institutions of various types—from schools in OTG (united territorial communities), villages and small towns to schools in million-plus cities and lyceums.

What are the selection criteria for a general secondary education institution (GSEI) to implement the Peaceful School?

  • readiness of key participants in the educational process to implement the Model;
  • presence of an initiative group of leaders of 7–10 people who, after special training, will launch the process of change in the school;
  • readiness to allocate resources, i.e. time, premises for the School Reconciliation Service (SRS), etc.;
  • willingness of the administration to genuinely delegate part of its authority to participants regarding conflict resolution and decision-making

Stages of implementing the Peaceful School model

1. Presentation of the model and selection of schools    

1.1. Webinar

The online presentation of the model takes the form of a webinar, which is held periodically by Peaceful School experts and for which you can register on this website (follow thenews). During the webinar the selection criteria for schools are announced, and all interested parties can ask experts clarifying questions.

Following the webinar, those educational institutions that decide to implement the Model can submit an online application on the Peaceful School website.

1.2. Selection of schools

Next, participants are selected from among interested schools through the following stages:

  • an online interview with selected schools (or in-person if possible)
  • an interview with the school's administration and the potential initiative group/team (the principal must be present)
  • signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation 

At this stage the future coordinator of the School Mediation Service is selected — a psychologist, social educator, or any teacher who wishes to become the coordinator and can dedicate time to conducting mediations and supporting the Service's operations.

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2. Selection and training of the leadership team

Leadership teamis an initiative group of 7–10 active participants in the educational process (teachers, parents, administrators, school psychologists) who have completed special training and coordinate the implementation of the Model in their institution. (Read more in the “Working with teachers and parents” section.)

The team is formed from representatives of the potentially interested initiative group at the institution where the Model was presented. All potential team members complete a questionnaire. Based on its results, a list of participants is approved and a letter of intent is signed with each of them.

After that, all leadership team members take part in a five-day training. Attendance for all days is MANDATORY for certification. On the final day of the training, the leadership team, with support from the regional coordinator and national supervisor, develops an annual implementation plan for the “Peaceful School” Model in their institution.

The leadership team commits to:

  • apply the acquired knowledge and skills in their school
  • maintain self-reflection journals

After a year of practice, leadership team members may undergo additional training and obtain trainer certification to expand the Model in their school.

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3. Selection and preparation of the School Mediation Service (SMS)

School Mediation Service– a team of 8–10 senior students and a coordinator drawn from the school's leadership team, who have completed special training and carry out conflict resolution, decision-making, and peer education procedures. (See the 'Working with Students' section for details).

3.1. Presentation of the School Mediation Service

The Peaceful School Model is presented to students in grades 8–12 by the school psychologist/teacher after an online consultation and briefing by experts from the Institute of Peace and Understanding. All students wishing to become school mediators participate in a questionnaire, which is used for selection. After the official approval of the School Mediation Service team list, candidates must confirm their participation and obtain parental consent within 1–2 days.

3.2. Training in Basic Mediator Skills for the School Mediation Service

All members of the School Mediation Service team and the coordinator take part in a four-day training course 'Basic Mediator Skills for the School Mediation Service.' Certificates are awarded to participants who attended all sessions and successfully demonstrated mediator skills.

 3.3. Equipping the School Mediation Service office

Equipping the office with necessary furniture, stationery, books, visual materials and other equipment required for mediators to work.

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4. Active Phase of Implementing the Model in the Educational Institution

After training is completed, the model is implemented in the educational institution by the school's leadership team and the School Mediation Service team, with support from Peaceful School experts.

The following activities are planned:

  • development and approval of the Model implementation plan 
  • familiarizing the school staff with the stages of Model implementation
  • development of a plan and regular informing of students about the School Mediation Service's activities
  • informing parents about the Model implementation activities
  • direct practice of the Model: conducting restorative circles, mediations, practicing restorative language, and training participants in the educational process in restorative practices
  • joint meetings of the leadership team and the School Mediation Service to develop new ideas and coordinate activities
  • Interregional leadership team meetings to exchange experiences
  • Expert supervisory support for Model implementation practice
  • Monitoring and evaluation of service quality within ShSP

Supervision of ShSP work is carried out by the ShSP coordinator once a month. At the end of the year, the coordinator and mediators conduct a joint analysis of the service's activities for the year and plan for the following year.

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5. Dissemination of the Model within the school

After a year of practice, advanced training is provided for members of the leadership team, after which participants may receive trainer certification and disseminate the Model in their school and train other teachers and students.

Trainer training is two-stage and consists of two 3-day training sessions (online or offline), as well as supervision of trainer skills. After successful completion, trainers will be granted access to methodological materials for further work.

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6. Monitoring

Analysis of the results obtained from piloting the Model and presentation of the adapted methodology along with recommendations for the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.