Does Oprah Regret Opening Her School Yet?
One cannot help but wonder if Oprah Winfrey regrets opening her Leadership Academy in South Africa.
That school has been nothing but trouble since even before it opened.
As if her plate wasn’t already full with her media empire, weight loss struggles and trying to find time for herself, the school intermitently comes up with a scandal to test her resolve.
Even before building the school, Oprah spoke of her love for what she called her spiritual home – South Africa. She even had someone make a malva pudding on her show once! I guess that proves it, if building a school doesn’t!
Oprah had high hopes of giving extremely disadvantaged girls with potential the best education money could buy. Remember the tears when the school opened? Who knew it would turn into tears of frustration.
You would think not previously having a bed to sleep in would be motivation for the girls lucky enough to be chosen to live at the boarding school, to study hard and keep out of trouble.
Unfortunately it didn’t turn out that way.
First the principal was fired for alleged sexual misconduct and later she threatened to sue Ms Winfrey. Then there is the ongoing court case with the self same ex-principal.
Now a few of the girls have been asked not to return after the school holidays – for mean girls activities as well as sexual misconduct.
Why would they throw away a once in a lifetime opportunity?
Earlier this year Bill Gates mentioned a study that concluded: “If you want your child to get the best education possible, it is actually more important to get him assigned to a great teacher than to a great school.”
Perhaps Oprah’s dream school proves the point?
I do hope at least a few of those girls take advantage of the opportunity handed to them…for their own sakes.
