Peace education : positive change via peer mediation in the primary school

Abstract

Peace Education strives to provide for the promotion and building of a peaceful society. A Peer Mediation Programme is one of the strategies designed to promote Peace Education in that it provides the skills for the resolution of conflict. The main objective of this evaluation research was to evaluate the conceptualisation, the design, the implementation and the impact of a Peer Mediation Programme that is being implemented at a primary school. The literature review was an in-depth study of the existing literature relating to conflict resolution and peer mediation. The main aspects covered by the literature were the nature of conflict and how it evolved and created meaning for itself. It also examined discipline and behaviour in the context of schools and the move towards alternative behavioural programmes at schools. It defined Peace Education and outlined the use of peer mediation as an alternative behavioural strategy, which could instil positive values and skills. It finally reviewed the benefits of alternative mediation programmes and the positive effects that it would have on the stakeholders involved in the programme. The research design used was Mouton's Logical model. The research was conducted. by using qualitative and quantitative methods. The qualitative methods included five focus group interviews and two individual interviews with all the relevant stakeholders who were associated with the programme. All the relevant documentation relating to the programme was examined and analysed. The quantitative method consisted of a questionnaire which all the mediators completed.

The analyses of the data led to interesting findings. The Peer Mediation Programme was well conceptualised by the different stakeholders. There was the problem of 'dual roles' for mediators that impacted on the stakeholders' conceptualisation of the programme. The school had developed a unique design which was adapted to the culture of the school. The programme was well implemented and impacted positively on the school, the mediators, the parents and the community. Community involvement, however, was lacking. While the evaluation research revealed that the programme was successfully implemented, with positive results, it was recommended that the conceptualisation of the programme be expanded on and developed in order to improve the overall understanding of the programme. It was also recommended that the design should include all grades in an adapted programme. Parents also needed to become more involved in the programme.