: JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) — A dormitory matron at Oprah Winfrey's school for disadvantaged girls in South Africa has been suspended amid allegations of serious misconduct.
No details were disclosed about the alleged offense at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls at Henley on Klip, just south of Johannesburg.
Police confirmed they had been informed of the allegation, but weren't investigating at this stage.
Chief Executive Officer John Samuel said an internal inquiry had been initiated "based on one serious claim of misconduct involving a dormitory parent."
The accused was no longer on campus, Samuel said in a statement Friday, and immediate action had been taken "to ensure the safety and well-being of the academy's learners."
"Nothing is more serious or devastating to me than an allegation of misconduct by an adult against any girl at the academy," Winfrey said in a statement.
South Africa's Child Protection Services have been notified, and U.S. and South African private detectives have been engaged to investigate, Samuel said.
To ensure an impartial investigation, the head of the academy has agreed to take a paid leave of absence, Samuel said, making clear the woman wasn't the subject of any allegations.
The school was opened in January amid much fanfare.
something just doesnt seem right with this whole leadership academy..they wont let the girls see their families, they only let them eat food that Oprah approves of, they cant eat candy, they cant watch tv or indulge in too much technology..Oprah is trying to make up for the fact that she had a f*cked up childhood by building the "perfect child" ..these are humans, not androids..its bad enough they were deprived of so much due to poverty, now here comes Oprah thinking shes going to oversee every aspect of their lives to make them into the people she wants to create..what a control freak..she really does have deep seeded issues..how about paying more attention to the staff and making sure theyre not beating these girls over the head before you make sure theyre not eating candy! watch out Tyra Banks, youre turning into a fake *** media devil like Oprah
Why did I know this was going to happen? Early on the strict rules set in place made it suspect. The kid weren't allowed to contact their parents anytime they wanted...and so on... Oprah better watch out leaving the care of these girls in the hands of fools cuz the lawsuits could be severe. And it's not like she's over there watching over things!
If this is a boarding school, then I see nothing wrong with the strict rules. I typical West African boarding school (I am more aware of those), restrict students from seeing parents, but only on visiting days. TVs are rarely allowed unless a parent enrolls their kid in a top boarding school, but they pay the premium. From experience, students in boarding schools that TVs perform a lot worse than students who have no TVs. Feeding is regulated, that is the all meals throughout the day for a week are fixed between a month to a whole semester. Depending on the school students are allowed to bring provisions from home to complement the school food. There are other practices, but I will not divulge them
In this era where video games and useless TV shows are consuming all the homework and sport/recreation time of kids, Boarding schools are coming back to prime. In West African countries, at least in ***, they have always been major part of the secondary school education system.
The problem seems to be that old school dicipline - like getting the strap on your *** or your knuckles whacked with big heavy rulers is still in full effect in SA.
Nuns beat the living *** outta kids back in the day.
SA needs to get with the times and understand you don't beat kids anymore to instill dicipline.
@dutchess1
What is with times about no beating? Have parents stopped beating their kids in Brazil, India, ***, Argentina, Bangladesh etc? America and Western Europe do not make up the majority in the world. Therefore, their traditions and culture definately don't make up the majority. I wonder ever since capital punishment went down in America and Britain, hasn't there been a rise of parents complaining that their kids are disrespectful and showing too many signs of no future ambition? Why do kids now in these countries spend more time playing video games than doing homework and recreational activities? Then why do parents in these countries complain about the ever increasing rate of fattened kids as a result of inadequate discipline and laziness of these kids?
Aside from the allegations of abuse, I see nothing wrong with Oprah restricting the activities of these girls. Do they really need tv and candy? All of them came from families who probably couldn't afford these things, so they're probably not missing much. We, as a society have become too lax on tv and video games and 95%% of the shows on tv are worthless.
People overseas value education way more than we do. That's why children from African and Asian immigrants completely kick our a** when it comes to education
@20something and lacosteboi
I am not tryong to disparage African Americans here, but when so called scientists do IQ tests based on race, I question the data colletion of these so called scientist. For instance, these scientist will say African Americans or Africans have a lower IQ than whites, but I wonder if these people they tested were educated or not. Many West Africans graduate from strict boarding schools, and find American based IQ exams very easy. In my case, except for the Verbal exam(American based instead of British based), I scored close to perfect scores in IQ based SAT I and SAT II, and this fact truly reflect the median of all the West African boarders that I know.
I hope what ever the issue at Oprah school is dealt with. Also, with the age of video gaming, disrespectful kids and kids and parents, who spend little time on homework, I am all for a strict learning environment. To the above bloggers, who find it strange, it definately goes a long way for your kids not only able to acquire an excellent education, but their learning skills become so good that any challenge, fact or course that they are unaware of, kids from these schools solve and learn them easily.
As for that racist scientist, I will reiterate that I doubt the data used to compare people in a global enviroment. If he went by a simple comparison criteria of using SAT Math and Science scores (very few people in this world know American Englsih), that Scientist would have been amazed by how much better *** and Japanese students perform than their American counterparts. Does that mean that educated *** and Japanese are smarter than Americans bases on a flawed test?
I agree that these children will benefit from discipline..but you also have to let kids be kids..or else theyre going to turn into the frigid, money grubbing evil mogul like Oprah..that woman has no interest in ***, having kids or marrying..she has a lot of issues..I wouldnt leave it up to her to show these girls how to become women..education is vital, but its not the only thing these girls need to learn about being women
lacosteboi79&ehifishy I feel you guys on that, most times what is considered abuse here is not considered abuse everywhere else especially when it comes to kids.I used to think that my parents did not care for me until now, people need to understand that kids will always take the easy way if you give them an option and that is why u see guys from asia are into science, some of my friends told me that they did not have any option because it was almost like they were nurtured to be doctors and computer engineers, this does not mean that they are smarter because I think every kid has some kind of greatness in him or her but because the parents were relentless in their pursuit for academic success.Here in America we let the kids decide if they wanna go to school or not.
gigi2007 I see what u are saying but 21st century is not for everyone.It is either u have it or not (academically). Honestly, my parents were super strict but right now I wish they were super-super strict at least I would have continued to law school like I planned before my first degree.Trust me these kids will be glad in future especially in Africa where education is basically everything.
How many times does a user have to be flagged before MTO takes out the garbage and stops the spammers? If they want folks to visit their site so much, they can do it the proper way and pay MTO an advertising fee to have their advertisement up. MTO loses money when the spammers leech off their bandwidth.
As for Oprah's school, I want to hear more of the story from a reputable source.
Haters have been looking for a way to tarnish the image of this school since it's inception. they are mad that oprah spent her $ in another country to help little Black girls. notice they weren't saying anything when she was giving sh*t away on her favorite things shows to white chicks.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a boarding school. The reason for such strict rules is to promote an atmosphere of intense learning. Your brightest children learn using logic reasoning and their own imagination. It is a proven fact that children are best taught without the outside influences. I’m not sure of all the rules for this school; however I ask you “are parents creating the best learning environment for their children in America?” I can’t believe that a person can make the argument they should be allowed to watch television and eat candy… Are you serious? This is why children in America are so far behind. Parents wake up and raise your children. Instead of television, read a book and have them write a book report for you once a week. Television and candy are luxuries. They should be given as a reward not because you want your child to have their own television in their room so you can brag to your friends. You should want your child to be the smartest and brightest. It should not be enough that they are performing at grade level… Expect more. Please know that society does want respect the average performing child. I want to hire the child that was taking algebra in the 5th grade not the 9th grade.
my argument is that you need to let kids be kids..you cant deprive them and think its going to make them better people..we all know that doesnt always work..I know many people who were raised in super strict environments who couldnt wait to turn 16 or 18 to go buck wild and run loose..or they rebel at earlier ages..let children enjoy certain aspects of childhood instead of making them live like soldiers..I didnt say let them sit in front of the tv and eat candy all day..so dont say thats my argument..but lets make sure theyre well rounded people who can enjoy things in life..Oprah is so deprived of happiness..that woman is NOT happy..all of the money, success and power in the world cant make you a happy person..she has a love-less relationship with a many she never married, shes bitter about her family that abused her and she proclaimed that she doesnt like ***..shes a robot..I wonder if she even knows how to love ..Im a well educated woman with two college degrees..and I have a loving relationship with my husband and family and healthy relationships with friends..my parents stressed education, but they also knew it was important for me to have a well rounded childhood..and Im so grateful for it..I can love and let others love me..I wasnt raised to be an android thats programmed to do only certain things
Oprah is constantly being publicly embarrassed by one thing after another involving this school. I don't know enough facts to comment on the abuse issue. But if Oprah is under the microscope by the media over this school it's because of her own doing. When she publicly made that statement why she open the school in Africa and not this country was because black girls in this country only care about boys and material things like ipods clothes etc. This coming from one of the most materialistic people in TV today. That statement blew up in her face when those Africa girls started complaining about the same things, boyfriends ipods and junk food. I'm sure Oprah gives plenty of charity in this country, the tax laws make it desirable for the wealthy to do that. But this allegation of abuse is just another embarrassment for this hypocrite.
The point of this conversation is education. If I want to utilize my monies to create a school that will focus on learning, than so be it. Who cares about her love life. As a matter of fact when I was in college and at the beginning stages of my career, do you think my love life was important. Absolutely not! Get your priorities right. Knowledge is power. Oprah made a awesome point when she said black girls in america only care about ipods and boys, it's true. Girls apply to this school, they have a choice. If the parents choose not to have a strict learning enviroment send your children to public schools
You know I don't understand why, she spent so much money to BUILD JUST ONE SCHOOL. When she could have used less money, cheaper materials and built very decent schools that MORE children could have attended? Does Oprah think that children really need to go to school with ceramic tiled floors in the bathrooms to learn? She complains that black americans don't have their head on correctly when it comes to learning, but then again she did the same things that she claims African Americans stand for by going over the top with material items and not thinking about the size of the problem.
strwby_cheesecake Again u have a valid point,am loving this,great example of how a good debate should be. I love the fact that we all seem to be passoinate about this issue. I think the only difference is that some are coming from a conservative side while others are coming from liberal standpoint.The bottom line is that we need to let the kids know that it is education or nothing.I feel like a moderator now(laughing)!!!!
the girls that attend these schools are too young to have a love life..Im not talking about having a boyfriend..Im talking about having a well rounded childhood..and its funny because Im sure the people who are protesting tv and candy so much, actually got to enjoy those things..now as adults they can preach about how detrimental it is, but they already got to indulge in the same things they are against..at least you had the opportunity and freedom to discover what you like and dont like and can form your own opinion-which I completely respect..but I have fond memories of going to the corner store with my friends when I was 10 years old and picking out candy with my allowance money..it was a simple joy..it wasnt something my mom let me do often, but it was part of the indulgence of childhood and innocence of something so simple making you happy..I wasnt stuffed in a dorm room for hours at a time forced to study and told what to do and when to do it and how to do it..I was able to learn and discover myself as a person..Oprah is trying to teach these girls how to be women..shes only focusing on education and career, which is important, but its not everything and it will not be the only thing to enhance or enrich your life and make you happy..I truly feel Oprah is depressed and miserable and would give anything to have had a happy childhood that wasnt marred with rape abuse and poverty..she would have loved to enjoy saturday morning cartoons and going to the corner store to buy a pack of gum with her friends..play double dutch, play dress up with her mothers make up and fancy clothes..have a favorite tv program that she looked forward to watching..as a kid, the Cosby Show and Growing Pains were my favorite shows..going to the movies..simple things that children shoud be allowed to experience..shes teaching them to be women and having healthy relationships with people in your life, not just the opposite ***, is important to learn..socializing is important..getting married and having kids is another right that women have to enjoy..if you teach them that living a militant lifestyle is the best thing for them in the long run you are depriving them of discovering other possibilities..Oprah was robbed of her childhood and it had a horrible impact on her as a woman..is that normal that shes been with the same man for 20 years and never wanted to have kids or marry him? she was scarred by her abuse, and now shes trying to build the perfect child by making them live according to how she sees fit..but she is the most unfit person to judge what a childs life should consist of since she had the most f*cked up childhood
She will have to invest some more money in teacher/dorm mother training. It could be a cultural thing maybe women there are used to beating kids and that's okay. This allegation says "abuse" it does not say what kind. If it is sexual then again Oprah or whomever she has hired to be in command needs to closely scrutinize who they hire. Maybe run background checks on these women.
