Mediation in the process of resolving acute conflict situations among students of secondary vocational education

The article examines the role and possibilities of forms, means and methods of mediation in the prevention of acute conflict situations among students of secondary vocational education. The theoretical aspects of resolving disputes and conflicts based on mediation principles, methods and forms of work are considered, their importance in preventing the escalation of tense situations arising between students is emphasized. The authors focus on risk factors that generate confrontation: age specificity, intensity of the educational process, change of social roles, difficulties of interpersonal interaction in teams. A review of existing practices allowed us to identify areas of mediation intervention that are most effective at the level of secondary vocational education. The potential of successful pedagogical practices for introducing mediation into the educational environment of GBPOU “Chelyabinsk Pedagogical College No. 2” aimed at preventing acute conflict situations among students is described. Emphasis is placed on the advisability of resolving disputes at the early stages of a conflict or during preventive measures using negotiations, facilitation and other techniques for reconciling the parties. The importance of training mediators among not so much employees of educational institutions as the students themselves is emphasized. Particular attention is paid to the specifics of the implementation of mediation technologies in the context of an educational institution - the organization of various types of activities as a space for developing standards of behavior for conflicting parties and developing methodological recommendations for students and other participants in the educational process. The scientific significance of this study lies in substantiating the use of mediation in resolving acute conflict situations that arise among students of secondary vocational education, the theoretical significance lies in analyzing the relevance of various forms of mediation, and the practical significance lies in testing them in the context of an educational organization with a pedagogical focus. The result of the study is the conclusion about the prevailing role in the system of educational work of preventive and prophylactic measures to prevent acute conflict situations at the initial stages of training.