Violence in schools: Brutal footage shows kid knock his schoolmate out [video]

Update: We have uncovered more information around the cause of the fight. Further details on the matter can be found here.

Violence in school is a rampant problem in South Africa. We have seen it all and heard all the promises in the world from the government but this recently shot video, showing two boys fighting, proves that no strides have been made to address the problem.

We could not get through to the school that this video was allegedly shot at. However, in it, you see a small crowd of school students watching on as one of their schoolmates gets clobbered by a boy of bigger build.

Read – Dept of Basic Education launches symposium to address school violence.

The unidentified boy was rendered unconscious by the blows of the bigger boy. Shockingly, not a single person stepped forward to stop the fight and de-escalate the situation.

Instead, in the video, you will see one of the boys shoving his battered schoolmate back into the bulky arms of the bigger boy, who did not hesitate to ferociously get a few more hits in.

Department of Education condemns violence in schools

Coincidentally, the nature of the events that take shape around this video speak to an awareness campaign the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) embarked on.

Jessica Shelver, the spokesperson of the provincial Minister of Education, stated her discontent with the bigger picture displayed in the viral video. Sure, witnessing violence of this nature in schools is unacceptable, but what about those that stood there and took videos of the fight?

“It is unfortunate that learners witnessing the incident did “Raise their phone – and “Not their Voice’s” to stop the incident from taking place. The WCED does not condone any violence, and we also encourage learners to desist from taking and sharing videos of this nature,” Shelver said”

Read – How to tell if your child is being bullied at school and how to help

As the video shows, the WCED’s Raise Your Voice and Not Your Phone awareness campaign has not impacted some schools.

The campaign was launched in August 2018, at the height of school-based violence in the country. We saw a growing trend of videos being shared showing a darker side of the school environment.

“With many of the incidents filmed and shared on social media for their friends to see, learners don’t realise you don’t need to beat somebody up to be a bully. We needed a way to help learners realise it for themselves.

Given the prevalence of bullying in our schools, the WCED has embarked on a campaign to highlight the effects of bullying on learners, as well as to draw attention to the fact that learners who film, post or distribute videos are also participating in the bullying,” Shelver added.

The education department has encouraged witnesses of bullying and school violence to speak up and contact the Safe Schools Call Centre line on 0800 45 46 47.

Read – Does spanking children promote discipline or violence?

Watch: Violent school fight goes viral

Today at President High School, white gang which will not be tolarared. Will be there first thing in the morning and do join for the suspension of that boy. pic.twitter.com/Cge4H8ieco

— Lulama Philile Memela (@MemelaLulama) January 24, 2019