Last Friday the American Cinematheque held a tribute for Julia Roberts. Oprah Winfrey was scheduled to attend, but backed out at the last minute, leaving everyone speculating. It turns out the reason for her absence was a problem at her Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. Apparently a dorm mother was accused of some sort of serious misconduct which severe enough to require Oprah to go to Henley on Klip where the school is located, south of Johannesburg.

A staff member responsible for children’s welfare at Oprah Winfrey’s girls’ school near Johannesburg has been suspended for misconduct. The unnamed worker, or “dormitory parent” as they are known, was removed from the premises and child protection officers notified. John Samuel, chief executive at the school at Henley-on-Klip in Meyerton, said: “The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls has initiated an internal inquiry based on one serious claim of misconduct involving a dorm parent at the Academy. We have engaged professional investigators of the highest standing from South Africa and the United States to conduct a fair and impartial inquiry into these claims.”

He said studies would continue as normal and children would be offered counseling, but declined to give details of the complaint or the worker’s identity. Ms Winfrey said: “Nothing is more serious or devastating to me than an allegation of misconduct by an adult against any girl at the academy. I will do everything within my power to ensure their safety and wellbeing.” Mr. Samuel said the head of academy and the school’s administrative body had mutually decided that the head should take a paid leave of absence in order to ensure an impartial investigation. The head of academy is not the person involved in the complaint.

On a visit to the school last August, she told parents: “I want you to know that these are our daughters. I want you to trust me with them.” Police confirmed they were investigating a case of misconduct at the school.

[From the Independent]

I know Oprah takes her school very seriously – and it seems to be about more than just good PR since it’s more important to her than honoring Julia Roberts. It seems like she’s got her priorities in the right place. Oprah is an incredible philanthropist, and In 2005 Business Week listed her one of America’s top 50 most generous philanthropists, having given an estimated $303 million. A lot of people criticized her for how fancy the girls school was – it has a yoga studio and serves organic food and the like. People said she could have done a lot more for more people by spreading the money around instead of going all-out on the school. She responded by saying that she wanted the girls to have the best and feel good about themselves. Frankly it’s her money and her business, and it sounds like she’s really committed to doing the right thing.