Les élèves s’affrontent après l’école. Comment gérez-vous les conflits qui débordent sur le temps personnel ?

First, understand the roots of the conflict. Investigate the underlying issues, which might be related to peer pressure, academic stress, or personal grievances. As a former Army Officer, it was common practice to dig for deeper causes when tackling a case of inter-personal indiscipline in the unit. Similarly, as a Principal, addressing the root cause of a dispute between students often involved understanding their backgrounds and stressors. By grasping the underlying issues, you can address the real problems and prevent future clashes.

Student 1 'felt' wronged by student 2. The parents brushed aside the 'feeling'. Student 1 got friends together to bash up student 2. This is a simple case where the issue was not settled but was brushed aside. More than the truth, what mattered was the perception of student 1 about the truth. The matter was settled by getting the truth across.

To accept the emotions a person is going through requires a safe, non-judgemental environment. A common fear is being labelled "childish". Empathy is a must, both for the people listening and for the person expressing the emotions.

Facilitate an open dialogue between the involved students. Create a safe space for them to express their feelings and perspectives. In the Army, direct interview with each defaulter in a disciplinary case achieved greater success in resolving tensions and misunderstandings than a collective investigation of a group of combatants. Similarly, as a Principal, I held mediation sessions where each student could voice the concerns openly. This approach encouraged honesty and fostered mutual understanding thus paving the way for conflict resolution.

Open dialogue is good. But, sometimes this could be taken in written. We can ask them to give in writing. Write in points and figure out what points can be avoided. Eventually child will understand that many things are not even matter. Conflicts are usually on two or three points only. Else it's more ego problem.

To name a few boundaries - 1. Do not get physical, 2. Do not humiliate, 3. Do not break trust. Do not bring out in a fight what was shared with you confidentially (you will regret it later when you could be friends again), Know beforehand who will give you sound advice when your brain is not in the right frame.

Set clear boundaries for acceptable behavior and also clearly state the consequences for crossing them. During my time as a Principal, I implemented a code of conduct that defined acceptable behaviour and consequences for violations. In the Army, as we all know, there is a corpus of clearly formulated rules and penalties designed to maintain order and discipline. Therefore, it is crucial that students being children are constantly reminded about the limits and the repercussions of their actions.

Promote a positive school culture that values respect, empathy, and cooperation. In the Army, camaraderie is fostered through a wide range of collectively performed professional and recreational activities. Similarly, as a Principal, I initiated programs that celebrated diversity and promoted teamwork. Encouraging positive interactions and relationships among students prevents conflicts and create a supportive, inclusive environment.

Remain calm and composed when handling conflicts. Your demeanor sets the tone for resolution. As a motorcyclist, staying calm in unexpected situations is crucial for safety. Similarly, maintaining composure during conflicts helps de-escalate tensions. Be fair and consistent in your approach, ensuring that all students feel heard and respected. Additionally, follow up with the students involved to ensure long-term resolution and support their personal growth.

One thing I would like to add in this matter,why don't you engage them in some team work, where they have to work in collaboration. This will not only make them understand each other. But, eventually they will end up conflicts.