A Bloemfontein private school is investigating shocking cellphone video footage that appears to show a teacher assaulting a pupil. The video clip, which was taken by a pupil in the classroom at the Academy of Excellence‚ an independent school in Heidedal‚ shows a visibly angry teacher roughly pulling a learner by the neck and pushing him to the floor.Note: This video has been edited to protect the identities of the pupils:The pupil falls on the floor‚ gets up and runs outside as fellow classmates scream and the teacher takes his bag and runs after him.Free State Education spokesperson Howard Ndaba said the department was aware of the matter and investigations were underway."As you know the school is a private school‚ the matter is handled by them. We are aware of the incident and have been made aware of another video which was taken by learners at the school‚" Ndaba said."We understand that the teacher has been suspended pending investigations by the school."We as the department welcome the suspension and we will do everything in our power to support the school and offer any sort of assistance to the learners in that classroom."It is not yet clear what prompted the altercation between the teacher and the Grade Seven pupil.TMG Digital..