Roy Cole: working students through inner conflicts - Dorothy Westerman/NNSL photo

Dorothy Westerman
Northern News Services

Fort McPherson (Oct 25/04) - A restitution program at the Chief Julius school continues to be an effective method of helping students develop self-discipline, says school principal Roy Cole.

Now in its third year in Fort McPherson, Cole says the idea of the program is to get students to realize their full potential as students and as individuals.

It also helps students become the best they can be, especially in interpersonal relationships within the school.

"It's similar to an aboriginal peace program.

"We talk issues through," Cole explained. "It gets students to believe in a new way of thinking," Cole said.

When a student's basic needs are not being met, Cole says, inappropriate behaviour will often result.

The restitution program helps the students work through their inner conflict, thereby changing their behaviour towards others, he explained.

With bullying and aggressive behaviour ever rampant in schools, Cole says this program deals directly with the problem as opposed to disciplining and suspending the student, which is now used as a last resort.

"We implement it by putting the principles in place in each classroom," Cole said.

The Chief Julius school has approximately 237 students, from kindergarten to Grade 12.

The restitution program originated in Yellowknife and has been implemented in at least seven other schools across the North.