We all know bullying is not a new problem, but it seems that schools are becoming less and less safe for pupils, with policies actually instructing teachers not to get involved and break up physical fights.

This clip was taken in March, but has recently been re-published on the internet to raise awareness for bullying.

Recalling the incident, a soft-spoken Anton [du Toit, the victim,] said last night that the same group of classmates came after him several times that day.

“The fight in the video was the first of three times on that one day that they gave me trouble. After that class they came to me again during recess, and then again later that day before we went home.

“Those guys threatened to come after me again, so I asked some friends to walk home with me after school. Luckily they didn’t show up again.”

For the duration of the 30-second video no one – including the teacher – makes any effort to stop the attack. Instead, several pupils are seen holding up cellphones to record the incident, and loud laughter and encouragement can be heard.

“Slap him! Slap him!” one child is heard yelling.[…]

Otto du Plessis principal Tinus van Eeden yesterday confirmed the incident and said disciplinary steps were taken afterwards. He said one of the boys, the bigger one shown in the video, had been temporarily suspended on several occasions.

Regarding the teacher’s failure to intervene, the principal defended her actions, saying teachers had to be very careful when intervening as the pupils could easily have accused her of assault if she had become physically involved. He said she followed protocol by notifying the head of the Grade 8 classes, who then handled the matter further.

Should the teacher have intervened? Would it have been more complicated if she had?

Find the full story at Times Live.