Efforts by the Observer Online team to obtain a response to a viral video allegedly showing students in uniform violently assaulting a peer were met with resistance on Monday, as reporters were denied access to the compound of Jamaica College.

The development comes amid growing public concern surrounding the video, which has been widely circulated on social media and is believed to have originated at the prominent Corporate Area school.

The team visited the institution seeking a comment from the principal, vice-principal or guidance counsellor regarding the developing situation but requests to speak with any member of the administration were declined, and the team was not permitted onto the school’s premises.

In response to the incident, the Ministry of Education and Youth confirmed that it has launched an investigation. The ministry described the footage as “disturbing” and strongly condemned the actions depicted, reiterating its zero-tolerance policy toward bullying and violence in schools.

The ministry said it will be deploying specialised teams to the school involved, to meet with administration and students as part of the ongoing investigation. It said it is also working diligently with the leadership of the school to identify all parties involved to ensure appropriate disciplinary and corrective measures are implemented.

READ: Education Ministry investigating physical assault of student at ‘prominent’ high school