Students' Courts to Spread Wings Across Saxony-Anhalt
The Ministry of Justice in Saxony-Anhalt has its eyes on an ambitious plan – to extend the reach of the Students' Court project to other districts beyond its current capabilities. The project, initially brought to life in 2008, is set to bloom in Mansfeld-Südharz by 2024. Three organizations have shown interest in leading this expansion, and talks with Halle and Gardelegen's school boards are already underway, according to the announcement.
Minister Franziska Weidinger (CDU) hailed the project's success in the Harz region as a "persuasive example" for the future committees. The core concept of the Students' Court is to provide a neutral venue where students who have been trained to serve as judges can adjudicate minor crimes committed by their peers, such as theft, insult, or assault, and impose appropriate sanctions. These sanctions often involve apologizing, completing community service, or attending a social training course – all in a voluntary, confessional setting.
Since its inception, the Students' Court in the Harz region has seen the training of more than 90 young judges, spanning ages 14-18, with some teaching their knowledge and experience to younger peers. Evelyn Zinke, the Harz Anti-Violence Center's initiator and 1 of 3 project managers, shares that negotiations usually occur on the last Saturday of each month. These sessions may occasionally be intense, as care is taken to ensure that the sanctions are offense-related and appropriate, ensuring a balanced justice system for the students involved.
Additional Insight: Focusing on the role of students in promoting a safer community and taking responsibility for rule-breaking incidents in their peer group, the expansion of Students' Courts in Saxony-Anhalt may help foster a sense of accountability and respect for the law among young learners.
- Enrichment Data Integration: The expansion of Students' Courts in Saxony-Anhalt aims to address the growing concern of youth crime in the region and promote a sense of accountability among young students. The Ministry of Justice is currently in talks with school boards in Halle and Gardelegen to establish similar projects. The initiative has had successful results in the Harz region, where more than 90 young individuals have been trained to serve as judges.
