A pilot operation of the relationship-restoration mediation unit is underway. [Provided by North Gyeongsang Provincial Office of Education]
A pilot operation of the relationship-restoration mediation unit is underway. [Provided by North Gyeongsang Provincial Office of Education]

The North Gyeongsang Provincial Office of Education announced Monday it is piloting a relationship-restoration mediation unit to help resolve school disputes — including infringements on educational activities, student rights conflicts, and persistent or malicious complaints — through reconciliation and mediation, with the aim of rebuilding trust within school communities.

The unit is staffed by specialists dedicated to protecting educational activities. Members facilitate dialogue and communication between parties in conflict, helping them understand each other's positions and reach agreement, while also working to prevent disputes from escalating, supporting teachers experiencing psychological distress, and helping schools maintain stable learning environments.

The provincial education office has commissioned 22 mediators for the second half of 2026, deploying them across 11 district education support offices in a pilot program.

Based on the pilot's results, the office plans to expand the program fully in 2027, placing a total of 44 mediators across all 22 district education support offices.

When a school requests conflict mediation, the relevant district education support office assigns an appropriate mediator based on the nature and severity of the dispute. The mediator then supports the parties through restorative dialogue sessions and other processes to facilitate communication and help them reach an agreement.

Training sessions are also underway to strengthen the mediators' expertise and on-site response capabilities. Spread across two sessions — on Saturday and Nov. 7 — the 15-hour program covers restorative justice, reconciliation and arbitration, conflict analysis, communication techniques, and step-by-step mediation methods, combining theory with hands-on practice.

Particular emphasis is placed on building practical skills for real conflict situations, including techniques such as reframing and restorative practices to draw out constructive dialogue between the parties involved.

"Through the relationship-restoration mediation unit, we will provide professional mediation and educational resolution for conflicts within schools, rebuild trust among members of the school community, and create a stable foundation for educational activities," North Gyeongsang Superintendent of Education Im Jong-sik said. "We will work to foster a school culture where teachers, students and parents are all treated with respect."


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