The application of restorative justice in Maltese Church secondary schools

Abstract

This research examines the application of restorative justice in Maltese church secondary schools. This is achieved through the analysis of qualitative data collected from semi-structured interviews carried out with senior leadership team (SLT) members and educators at four distinct church secondary schools participating in the study. While restorative justice has become recognised as an effective method for dealing with behavioural issues in education, its application in Maltese church secondary schools has not been extensively researched. The study aims to assess the understanding and implementation of restorative justice practices in Catholic educational institutions, while also identifying the elements that influence the application of such practices. Research evidence indicates that despite the schools' efforts to include restorative justice approaches, they face challenges, such as insufficient professional support. An additional finding made in this dissertation is the inadequacy of training offered to educators regarding restorative justice techniques, leading to a limited understanding of these strategies. To fill this gap, educational institutions should offer further possibilities for professional growth in this field. Such training has the potential to strengthen classroom behaviour management strategies while promoting the successful application of restorative justice approaches. It is also recommended that SLT members have formal training in restorative practices. This can be accomplished by integrating relevant modules into existing educational leadership courses. This dissertation also aims to improve the personal and professional development of educators in the field of restorative justice practices in schools. Gaining this knowledge additionally improves readiness for possible leadership positions in educational environments.