Monday, May 7, 2007

Lee-Ann Inderpal

Lee-Ann Inderpal
Lee-Ann Inderpal is doing Masters research, in Sociology at UKZN, on bullying in schools in Durban.

In her chapter, Corporal punishment in a Durban school, Lee-Ann draws on conversations with Grade 9 students (13–14 year-olds) about corporal punishment in a formerly Indian school. Though illegal in the post-apartheid era, it is common practice at this school. Significantly, it was not she who raised the issue, but the pupils themselves. They raised it in response to questions she posed about their relations with teachers and whether they ever felt ‘picked on’ by them. Normally bullies are associated with students, but these boys and girls spoke with much emotion about being hit by teachers on various parts of the body. Black students felt particularly picked on by Indian teachers, and girls complained of being verbally abused (in sexist ways) as well as being physically hit by male teachers.

Reference:
Inderpal, Lee-Ann. 'Corporal punishment in a Durban school', in Rob Pattman and Sultan Khan (Eds.), Undressing Durban (Durban: Madiba Press, 2007), pp. 297-300.