Fostering positive classrooms to prevent Early School Leaving.

Nowadays, it is increasingly important to focus on factors that can help prevent and address Early School Leaving and conflicts. This is the goal of this training course, a topic that grows more vital every day. With a holistic perspective, participants learned to identify the root causes of this issue and explore the most effective approaches and strategies to prevent, confront, and reduce it, along with essential conflict management skills.

​The latest edition of the course “Preventing conflicts and tackling Early School Leaving​” took place in Palermo from 29/06/2025 to 05/07/2025. Participants came from across Europe, with Marie José Kerboriou and Marie Trigo from Lycée Anne Veaute in France, Niina Ranta and Anu Kiiskinen from Keinumäki school in Finland, Inga Pētersone from Rīgas Būvniecības koledža in Latvia, Kati Lõbu and Terje Alliksoo from Tallinna Majanduskool in Estonia, and finally Sofia Royo Andreu from Institut Julio Antonio in Spain.

​Early school leaving is a widespread issue across Europe. Being set in a European context, participants had the opportunity to explore various national perspectives. On the first day, the focus was on defining what Early School Leaving entails and identifying its main risk factors. This enabled participants to create and share a realistic picture of their school experiences related to Early School Leaving, starting from its root causes and moving toward the potential consequences, and what measures can be taken to tackle early leaving.

The group then moved on to explore conflict management. Initially, time was dedicated to shifting perspectives. With the help of an inspiring TED Talk, participants came to understand how conflicts in their lives had actually provided unique chances to improve relationships, communication, and mutual understanding. They also explored the various outcomes that can arise during conflicts, such as compromise, win-lose situations, and win-win resolutions, along with different approaches to handling conflict effectively. Emphasis was placed on the importance of communicating responsibly, assertively and thoughtfully when addressing disagreements.

​On the third day, we began from the assumption that in order to effectively address early school leaving, it is essential to truly connect with students, create safe and respectful environments and be attuned to the interests and emotions of the students. Participants engaged in practical activities to grasp the importance of social and emotional intelligence, including empathy, in fostering social connections. The group practiced non-formal methods to reflect on the value of belonging and collaboration. Strategies for teamwork and peer education were also examined.

​On the fourth day, the focus shifted to innovative teaching methods, including the use of digital tools to connect students online, create engaging content, and implement gamified activities. We also recapped the different “generations” and their unique learning styles. To effectively address early school leaving, it is crucial to understand the needs and preferences of our students in order to create a learning and classroom environment that is not only safe and respectful but also engaging and appealing to them.

​On the final day, the group focused on battling negativity in the classroom through group reflections and practical activities. Participants explored the power of beliefs and their impact on our ideas, perceptions, and students’ self-esteem. Through a team challenge, they also learned how to foster a growth mindset in students. Emphasizing the importance of language, the group explored strategies for more assertive and effective communication.

The key word of this week-long training course was “transformation”: learning how to shift perspectives on conflicts, turn strong and sometimes negative energy into something positive and productive, move from a fixed to a growth mindset, and transform a group of individuals into a safe space that fosters belonging and support. Discover more about this course here.
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