A programme set up to help students resolve disputes among themselves will be used in all public primary schools this year.

Education Minister Jerome Dill announced that the peer mediation programme, set up by the Coalition for the Protection of Children in 1993 as a pilot scheme in three schools, has been expanded.

And he called the expansion of the programme, which cost the coalition about $100,000 a year to run, a "win-win situation''.

Peer mediation allows students to air their grievances in the presence of student and teacher mediators.

The coalition has received a $20,000 grant from Government each year for the programme.

And while in full support of expanding the programme to upcoming middle and senior secondary schools, Mr. Dill made no promises about additional funding.

However, coalition head Sheelagh Cooper said: "We're very pleased to be in a position to offer the programme across the board. It is gratifying to think we're now about to expand to all primary schools.

"I think it's a very wise position on the Ministry of Education's part. Their money will be well spent.'' Mrs. Cooper added teachers, who recently participated in a workshop to train students in peer mediation, supported the programme.

"The overwhelming perception that teachers have with this programme is that it will free them up to do what they are suppose to do, that is teach,'' she said.

President of the Bermuda Union of Teachers Michael Charles agreed.

"It's a tool that can be used and help our students with conflict resolution,'' he said. "Hopefully, it can be used very effectively.'' However, Mr. Charles said the peer mediation programme was not a panacea.