Are you worried about coexistence in the classroom? The constant arguments, lack of respect, and endless conflicts are the daily bread in many schools. But beware, it doesn't have to be this way. With an appropriate educational intervention, it is possible to change the course and build an environment where discipline and respect are the protagonists. And no, we are not talking about simply imposing punishments; we are talking about a comprehensive strategy that involves students, teachers and even parents.

Why is it important to improve school coexistence?

Imagine that your day begins with a classroom in complete disorder. Shouting, teasing, students calling each other names or not respecting even a minimum of rules. Does that sound familiar? Coexistence is not just a matter of courtesy or maintaining an orderly environment. It is, in fact, the pillar of an effective education. When the environment is chaotic, the quality of learning decreases drastically. Students not only lose interest, but begin to associate education with stress and tension.

That is what educational intervention to improve coexistence and discipline is for. But of course, we are not talking about punitive interventions, but about pedagogical strategies specifically designed to strengthen the bonds between students, and between students and teachers.

How to implement an effective educational intervention?

The first thing to understand is that coexistence is not improved from one day to the next. This implies planning that encompasses all levels of the educational environment. What do you need to get started? I'll tell you here in a few simple steps.

1. Initial diagnosis: Know the situation of your center

Each school has its own particularities. Perhaps in one classroom you find students with great leadership potential, while in others there are small pockets of constant conflict. Before designing any intervention, you must know precisely what is going on. Conduct interviews, surveys or, if necessary, directly observe the dynamics among students.

"Who is the one who always initiates the practical jokes?" or "What is the main reason for confrontations in this classroom?". With answers to questions like that, you'll have a clear foundation.

2. Develop a personalized action plan

Here comes the real "magic" of educational intervention. You have to structure an action plan that considers the needs and characteristics of your center. A good plan addresses aspects such as:

• Clear and concise rules that everyone understands and, most importantly, accepts.
• Activities that strengthen the values of respect and empathy.
• Mediation strategies for the conflicts that will inevitably arise.

And this is where peer mediation and mentoring programs play a fundamental role. Did you know that students are often more accepting of guidance from their peers than from their teachers? Involving them in the process helps reduce resistance and improves engagement.

3. Teacher training and team support

You can't expect everything to change if you don't give teachers the right tools. Educational intervention is not only the task of students, teaching staff must also be prepared to manage conflicts and guide students towards peaceful and constructive solutions.

Training teachers in conflict mediation and resolution skills is key. These skills will enable teachers to deal with conflict situations in a professional and respectful manner. The entire team - including guidance and even administrative staff - must be aligned with the goal of improving coexistence and discipline.

Practical tools and techniques to improve coexistence

Do you need practical ideas? Here I share some that have proven effective in many centers:

• Assertive communication workshops: They help students express their emotions appropriately, preventing frustration from turning into aggression.
• Dialogue circles: Dialogue circles are perfect for generating empathy. The premise is simple: everyone has the right to speak and, most importantly, to be heard without interruption.
• Contract of coexistence: This is one of my favorites. At the beginning of the course, the students and the teacher agree on a contract where they define the rules together. Thus, the rules are not imposed, but accepted.

Measuring the success of your educational intervention

How do you know if your plan is working?No one likes to implement a strategy without knowing if it delivers results. That is why it is essential to measure the success of the intervention. At the beginning of each quarter, you can apply satisfaction surveys among students, monitor the number of conflicts and analyze how the group dynamics are evolving.

Also, don't hesitate to adjust the plan as needed. There are no magic formulas or immutable plans; each group is unique, and what works with one may need to change with another.

Conclusion: School coexistence as an achievable goal

Improving coexistence and discipline in schools is not a utopia; it is a real need and, more importantly, an achievable goal with the right approach. Effective educational interventions not only improve the school environment, but also prepare students to face the challenges of life in society.

So now you know: if you want to see real change, punishments and reprimands are not enough. The key is to build an environment where each student feels valued, respected and, above all, listened to. School coexistence is something that is cultivated day by day, with patience and with the firm conviction that every step counts.