Brookhurst International School Lavington in Nairobi is in the spotlight after a video showing students bullying one of their own went viral on social media.
The video seen by The Kenya Times captured a female student assaulting a girl inside a classroom while issuing what sounded to be a warning.
At the same time, the girl under siege was left helpless even as the perpetrator assaulted her, depicting a picture of the horror she had been subjected to. In yet another incident captured in a video, a female student was filmed slapping another in the school’s compound.
The two videos elicited reactions on social media with a majority of those commented expressing their rage and calling out the school’s management over the possibility of bullying despite the reputation attached to schools of its stature.
Kileleshwa Ward Representative Robert Alai was among the standout names who questioned the respect accorded to some of the schools with the tag of “international schools”.
“How old is Brookhurst International School? It’s wrong to label every school international. Some of them have only international bad manners,” Alai posted in a caption to the video.
An X user named Daniel Wanuna also commented on the video to express his disbelief at the kind of violence meted out to the student.
“What’s so significant to be heard that can warrant such beating? Why would one take their child to the so called “international school, only to end up being treated as a nobody? I went to a village school, and I can still write perfect grammar with the cadence that goes with it!” he said.
The video circulated on the social media platform with questions about the school’s stand on bullying also emerging.
Also Read: Nyeri School Charging Ksh137 K General Muhoozi Attended in His Childhood
Following the anger, Brookhurst School issued a statement confirming that the video was captured within its premises.
Brookhurst responds to bullying video
In the statement, Brookhurst through its Principal assured that it does not condone any form of violence among its students, and it was working to address the exposed case through its disciplinary process.
Brookhurst also confirmed that it would engage the parents of the students involved to ensure “that they are informed and involved in the resolution process”.
“We want to emphasize that we do not condone any form of violence, conflict or discord among our students,” the School’s Principal noted in the statement released on Wednesday evening.
“Rest assured that we are taking this matter seriously and are working diligently to resolve it in a fair and appropriate manner.”
Also Read: Uproar as Video Captures Kahawa Hawkers Using Bare Hands to Stir Coffee
However, the school pointed accusing fingers at some “group of malicious online individuals”, noting that some people attempted to extort money using the videos and other photos.
As per the Principal’s statement, the school has since instituted legal measures in order to bring the unnamed individuals to book.
“We have instituted the necessary legal measures in order to bring these individuals to the full glare of justice under the law,” the statement read in part.
“Kindly refrain from sharing content in regard to minors who are presently not your children or next of kin.”
Brookhurst is a coeducational institution that offers British curriculum education between year 1 to A level.
It has branches in Kiserian and Lavington and has been among the few schools known to charge a premium for its services in Kenya.