Staff misconduct at Oprah's South African school
Categories: In the news, Education
Despite Oprah Winfrey's obvious good intentions, things aren't going so well at her Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls. After weathering some bad PR back in March involving claims of prison-like rules, the South African girls' school is back in the news. This time, the allegations are much more serious.
According to the Rapport, an Afrikaans-language newspaper, a matron at the school allegedly grabbed a student by the throat and threw her against a wall. Another person, a "dorm parent", is said to have swore and screamed at the girls, assaulting them and sexually fondling at least one of them.
In a statement, John Samuel, the Chief Executive of the academy, said that the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) of the South African Police Service has been told of the of the internal investigation. "The inquiry is being conducted in a manner that supports the safe and nurturing environment of the academy, with minimal disruption to campus life. In addition, the academy is providing psychological support and counseling services to our learners," he said.
Oprah herself has flown in to help manage the crisis, but has had very little to say publicly about the allegations. Oprah, who as a child was sexually abused herself, issued a statement in which she says, "Nothing is more serious or devastating to me than an allegation of misconduct by an adult against any girl at the academy."
This is serious stuff and I wonder if the school can - or should - survive this scandal. Could this possibly spell the end of Oprah's dream to provide the gift of education to these underprivileged girls?
According to the Rapport, an Afrikaans-language newspaper, a matron at the school allegedly grabbed a student by the throat and threw her against a wall. Another person, a "dorm parent", is said to have swore and screamed at the girls, assaulting them and sexually fondling at least one of them.
In a statement, John Samuel, the Chief Executive of the academy, said that the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) of the South African Police Service has been told of the of the internal investigation. "The inquiry is being conducted in a manner that supports the safe and nurturing environment of the academy, with minimal disruption to campus life. In addition, the academy is providing psychological support and counseling services to our learners," he said.
Oprah herself has flown in to help manage the crisis, but has had very little to say publicly about the allegations. Oprah, who as a child was sexually abused herself, issued a statement in which she says, "Nothing is more serious or devastating to me than an allegation of misconduct by an adult against any girl at the academy."
This is serious stuff and I wonder if the school can - or should - survive this scandal. Could this possibly spell the end of Oprah's dream to provide the gift of education to these underprivileged girls?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
SKL 10-22-2007 @ 3:13PM
If they closed every school where this type of stuff happened(s), there would be very few schools (if any) left open. It's a crisis that needs to be dealt with, but it doesn't say anything about the school as a whole, except maybe that they need to revise some of their policies concerning recruiting, researching, and monitoring their staff. That you would suggest perhaps the school "should" not survive this indicates to me that maybe you wish ill on Oprah's endeavor.
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Sandyone 10-23-2007 @ 11:55AM
"This is serious stuff and I wonder if the school can - or should - survive this scandal."
What???
Of course the school should survive this scandal. I hope Oprah went and kicked some serious ass and let it be known that that crap will NOT be tolerated and it won't be swept under the rug. That the abuse came out so quickly is an excellent sign and reduces the appropriateness of the use of the term 'scandal'.
I'd send my daughters to this school in a heartbeat (except that I don't even send my kids to the school around the corner, much less a boarding school around the world). My point is that the school is on top of this. Oprah's academy will quickly earn a reputation for not putting up with abuse and abusers will have to find some other school to work at and seek out victims.
I'm no fan of Oprah, but, GO OPRAH!!
You bet it can survive.
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