Background and Aim: Children are the future builders of any society. Among socializing institutions, family and school are primary entities in shaping and developing children’s personalities. Upon reaching a certain age and entering school, children may, due to age-related tendencies, engage in behaviors contrary to the law. Given the destructive nature of punitive responses and the vulnerability of children to such measures, the application of restorative justice principles should be prioritized. Despite the significance of this issue and the recognized need for implementing restorative programs in schools, Iran’s legal system lacks clear and codified legislation in this regard. This study seeks to address the question: How can the implementation of restorative justice programs in response to crimes committed by students in Iranian schools be justified?
Method: This study is a review article employing a descriptive-analytical approach. It is fundamentally theoretical in its objectives, utilizing a documentary method. Data were collected and analyzed through library-based resources, including the examination of documents, judicial practices and other scholarly works.
Results: Among various restorative justice approaches to addressing crimes committed by students, family group conferencing appears to be the most effective response, fostering constructive interaction between family and school. Through these conferences, families and schools can collaboratively adopt the most appropriate measures for the child’s upbringing. To justify the application of restorative justice principles in Iranian schools, the provisions outlined in the upstream documents of the Islamic Republic of Iran serve as valuable resources. These documents emphasize key issues such as the necessity of family-school collaboration, the establishment of parent-teacher associations, the promotion of non-judicial methods for case resolution and crime prevention through counseling and educational programs.
Conclusion: Given the absence of specific legislation regarding the use of restorative justice principles in addressing crimes committed by students in Iranian schools, it is imperative for lawmakers to enact dedicated laws or regulations in this field, considering the issue’s significance. The emphasis in Iran’s upstream documents on restorative justice programs, particularly family group conferencing and their necessity in schools further highlights the existing legal gap.
Please cite this article as:
Khamooshian SA, Sahaf M. The Bond between Family and School in Restorative Justice Teachings with an Emphasis on the Highlevel Instruments of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Child Rights Journal. 2023; 5(19): 95-110.