[Japo]

I'm afraid it's kinda true. The direct solution is confrontation. And the indirect solution is... No there is no other solution AFAIK, :/ please feel free to share if you find it.

Remember what Sarge and others said. You don't need to win any fight, just make them look for easier prey. :/ There needn't be a physical fight, the confrontation needn't escalate. It depends on both your skill and the bully's aggresiveness. (If you've had to endure him you must know whether he's just a rat who likes to abuse, most likely--or a total psycho and potential future criminal.)

I'm afraid the first evil is the education system. Kids are confined without possibility of choosing their company, as if they did something wrong and were sent to jail. All in the name of equality and enlightment? The results speak for themselves. The road to Hell is paved with good intentions. Often even parents can't do a thing, no matter how nasty things get for their child.