Legal Affairs and Education Ministries partner to revolutionise conflict management in schools

Schools across Guyana are on the cusp of a significant transformation, as the Legal Affairs Ministry, in collaboration with the Education Ministry, launches a nationwide initiative to implement restorative justice practices within the education system.
Organized by the Restorative Justice Centre (RJC), this training aims to reshape how schools manage conflict and discipline by promoting dialogue and accountability over punishment.

The initiative, which is being held at the Guyana Police Force Training Centre at Eve Leary, Georgetown for two days, focuses on integrating restorative justice principles into classrooms as a constructive alternative to traditional disciplinary methods like corporal punishment.
Several counsellors and welfare officers are being trained. This marks a shift towards addressing conflicts through empathy, community involvement, and constructive dialogue, and away from punitive responses that often fail to address the root causes of behavioural issues.

Restorative justice has been gaining traction globally as a tool not only for criminal justice reform, but also for transforming educational environments.
In Guyana, the RJC was established last year as a collaborative effort between the Government of Guyana, the Ministry of Legal Affairs and the Inter-American Development Bank. It saw the passing of the Restorative Justice Act 2022, and the focus on educational institutions underscores the recognition that schools play a crucial role in shaping how young people understand accountability and community values.

Educators undergoing the training are learning to facilitate restorative sessions where students confront the impact of their actions, engage in meaningful conversations, and actively participate in finding solutions. This approach aims to build a sense of community and mutual respect within the school environment, reducing the reliance on outdated disciplinary measures.
Introduction of this programme is expected to impact the dynamics of student/teacher interaction, turning moments of conflict into opportunities for understanding and personal development. By fostering a framework that emphasizes dialogue and healing, the Ministry of Education hopes to create a more supportive atmosphere, wherein students are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions, leading to a more harmonious school community.
At the event, Permanent Secretary (Administration) of the Legal Affairs Ministry, Adele Clarke, explained that the overall objective is to address two problems that are on the project facing the criminal justice system — to reduce the criminal justice system’s overreliance on custodial sentencing, and to reduce the overuse of pretrial detention.
“The foundation was laid for restorative practices to become an alternative to custodial sentencing for minor offences in our criminal justice system”, she said, adding that restorative justice officers would be deployed in all ten administrative regions.
“You will discover that a system for restorative justice not only seeks reconciliation between the victim and the offender, but it also holds the offender accountable, which can be a catalyst for behaviour change,” she detailed.
Senior Welfare Officer at the Education Ministry, Cornella Leitch, emphasized the importance of the training in broadening the perspectives of officers and enhancing their ability to address challenging behaviours. She expressed that the initiative aims to deepen participants’ understanding of how to manage conflicts more effectively in educational settings.
“The goal of restorative practice is to help people understand their actions and how their actions impacted others, and what they can do in correcting their actions,” Leitch has said.
Highlighting the MoE’s shift away from traditional disciplinary methods, she said, “We no longer want corporal punishment – the cane, the bamboo, the ruler – to beat the children. Let us learn new techniques…Let us improve what is being done at the Ministry of Education.”
William Orrin Boston, Director of the Restorative Justice Centre, emphasized the effectiveness of restorative practices in fostering positive outcomes, noting that they offer more constructive approaches for conflict resolution, rehabilitation, and reintegration.
He contrasted these modern methods with outdated disciplinary measures which, according to him, often fail to yield the desired results.
By the end of the training, participants are expected to have a comprehensive understanding of restorative justice principles. They would be equipped to distinguish between restorative practice and justice, appreciate the value of social discipline, and apply these techniques to facilitate meaningful resolutions between those involved in conflicts as they aim for greater understanding and positive change. (G9)