This archive report was first published on 15 July 2019.
On July 15, 2019, the Ministry of Education emphasized the importance of pupil safety in schools. However, recent allegations of bullying at Nairobi School have raised concerns about the prevalence of such incidents nationwide.
According to the Africa Mental Health Foundation, bullying manifests in physical, verbal, and exclusive forms. The latter is subtle, involving the isolation of an individual from group activities. Physical bullying includes hitting, forced labor, and theft, while verbal bullying involves name-calling, threats, and blackmail.
Investigations have shown that bullying is common among young teens in Kenya, with reports indicating that it is more prevalent in national schools. In contrast, developed countries like the United States have lower rates of bullying.
Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha has ordered an investigation into the Nairobi School incident and demanded to know the perpetrators. However, assuming the perpetrators are students, it is unclear what action Prof Magoha will take.
Experts suggest that schools may be ignorant or unconcerned about teen behavior, leading to dire consequences such as deaths, low performance, poor relations, and drop-outs. To address this issue, school heads should inform new students of their right to safety and encourage them to report any provocation.
Class teachers should be empowered intellectually to recognize the telltale signs of troubled learners. Regular class meetings in relaxed environments can encourage victims to speak out. Teachers should also avoid bullying learners to serve as models.
Lastly, parents should teach their children respect for humanity, as no one can control the reactions of those affected by bullying.
