Beautiful Beginning Academy Denies Allegations Of Bullying In Viral Video
The management of Beautiful Beginning Academy (BBA), located in Gudu District, Abuja, has dismissed allegations of bullying among its students following the circulation of a viral video on Monday. The clip, which showed senior students purportedly tying a chain around the neck of an SS2 student, identified only as Imtiyas, and ordering him to lie on the floor, sparked widespread concern.
Speaking to newsmen on Tuesday, the school’s Principal, Aaron Ikpe, clarified that the incident was a staged performance by the students, not an act of bullying. Ikpe emphasized that the school operates an open-door policy, allowing students to report any grievances directly to the administration.
“Categorically, I will state that there was no bullying case here at BBA,” Ikpe said. “Whatever you saw was a make-believe performance. It wasn’t a case of bullying. The students involved staged a play in their hostel, with other students watching. If it were bullying, are you telling me none of those students would have reported it? That in itself proves it was a play.”
Video Recording Explained
Ikpe further explained that the students intentionally recorded the scene using a tablet provided by the school during learning hours. He noted that the students had returned the device to the school afterward, reinforcing the claim that the act was premeditated as a playful skit.
“The students arranged for the tablet they used to record it. The tablet is usually given to them during learning hours and later retrieved. They did it innocently, though perhaps it was taken to a certain level that was misinterpreted,” he said.
Family’s Allegations Surprise School Management
The principal expressed shock at the bullying allegations, particularly from Imtiyas’ family members, who raised the issue only after the video went viral. According to Ikpe, the school had never recorded a bullying case in its 14 years of operation.
“No such report was made until the sisters of the SS2 student came on Monday to tell us there was a bullying case. My MD, who was about to leave, stayed back to investigate. We were all shocked because this kind of thing is highly unusual for our school. In 14 years, we’ve never had such a situation,” he stated.
Commitment to Student Welfare
Ikpe reiterated the school’s commitment to maintaining a safe and inclusive environment for all students. He encouraged families to communicate concerns directly with the school administration to avoid misunderstandings.
“Our open-door policy ensures that students, from nursery to senior classes, can freely share any issues they might face. If there were genuine bullying, it would have been reported,” Ikpe concluded.
While the video continues to generate mixed reactions online, the school maintains its stance that the incident was a harmless act of creativity rather than a case of bullying. The matter remains a point of contention between the school and the family of the SS2 student.
