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Oprah: My School is Safe, Not Strict

Posted Mar 12th 2007 6:05PM by TMZ Staff

Oprah WinfreyOprah Winfrey is denying allegations that her new school in South Africa, Oprah Winfrey's Leadership Academy for Girls, is too strict with its students.

A statement from The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation says, "Our goal is to protect the health, welfare and well-being of the students at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy. As with other boarding schools, we provide a structured, safe and nurturing environment in which the girls can learn and develop."

News24 in South Africa reported yesterday that cell phones and email are not allowed during the week, parental visits need to be approved by the school at least two weeks in advance, and the maximum number of visitors per pupil is four.


Parents are not allowed to bring junk food items for their children, News24 said, but the Foundation told us that food items are discouraged but not prohibited. The Foundation went on to say that the students are allowed to have treats and that family members are encouraged to bring books, journals or educational materials to their girls when they visit.

News24 also reported that a satellite meeting between Oprah and the parents was abruptly canceled last week. The Foundation says no teleconference or in-person meeting with the parents and guardians was scheduled for last week.

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46. "h e l l o" , top private schools are run like this.

Posted at 6:42AM on Mar 13th 2007 by Peeps

47. She'll bring her camera crew in and have some gifts under the seats and everyone will praise Hippo again.

Posted at 7:36AM on Mar 13th 2007 by independentman

48. Oprah spent 40 million to educate 100 children and turned 5000 away.. Thats helping the needy get an education? Or is she creating a separate class? Just for the record, these children are turned back into the same environment and population they came from in two years. What are the odds of any of them making a difference after that?

Posted at 8:41AM on Mar 13th 2007 by in the know

49. People need to get off of Oprah's ass. She is doing a wonderful thing for those children. The special that was aired was absolutely touching. These children had nothing and had to worry about being raped, murdered or abused on the their way to school. So of course Oprah is going to do what she has to do to protect these girls. The girls have an opportunity of a lifetime and I am sure not one of those girls is complaining about not being able to email or eat candy. They are probaly just happy to have three meals a day. Go ahead Oprah, least your doing good with all your money and helping people who truly appreciate it.

Posted at 10:26AM on Mar 13th 2007 by Denise

50. ALL OF YOU ARE PLAIN STUPID!

This is a boarding school. Most boarding schools are strict and some are far worse than this.

These parents of these girls can always take their kids out! O's academy does not hold these girls against their will. The parents knew about these rules before these girls were admitted.

What the article fails to mention is the scandal surrounding the parents. When the parents were visiting the children, the visits were entirely too long. This is a boarding school with lots of homework and a tough curriculm. These girls are there to be leaders.

WHEN THE PARENTS VISITED, THEY WERE SMUGGLING OUT FOOD, LINEN, BOOKS AND GETTING THEIR DAUGHTERS TO DO INNAPROPRIATE THINGS. The school administrators found this out and had to limit the visits. These parents are poor and not typical boarding school parents. Unfortunately, this is not a disney movie where you have ethical parents and relatives.

These girls are not too get pregnant, raped, or kidnapped. The administrators have to limit the visitors because these girls are a target for kidnappers looking to extort lots of money from Oprah. Everyone knows that South Africa is an extremely dangerous place.

PS What are you lazy bastards doing?

Posted at 9:10AM on Mar 13th 2007 by Whatever

51. Oprah Winfrey is the biggest joke. She puts herself out there as a saint, when all she really wants to do is turn children into the privileged little snots that she has become. She will not tolerate anyone around her that is not of a certain wealth or position, and so she has to make these children into what she wants. Why can't she help right here in America as well? That school in New England that she recently gave money too was already so unobtainable by people without money, but she chooses to donate money to a school that only caters to the wealthy. To say that all american kids aren't worth it because they are spoiled and want expensive things is a generalization that I don't think she should be so easily forgiven for. She has forgotten where she came from, but everyone is so busy making her the new saviour, that they don't care too look close enough and just idolize her. I saw all the behind the scenes footage of her and Gayle's recent trip around america and belive me, she would no sooner set down to dinner with one of "little people" than she would stay in a Motel 6. Give it up people, and see her for the publicity hound that she is.

Posted at 9:33AM on Mar 13th 2007 by Lulu

52. I think this is just absolutely ridiculous....Oprah you are not GOD and you need to chill out woman. How dare you tell these children and their parents that they can't have a certain food.......so stupid! if a parent is able to visit their child and has the ability to purchase items that would be a special treat for their child how dare you tell them what is allowed and not allowed.

I can almost bet that if someone told you what you couldn't eat....you would freak!

lay-off sister...you have gone overboard!

Posted at 10:07AM on Mar 13th 2007 by ROBIN

53. The secret is out. She's a femi-nazi pedophile who has her own personal little girl ZOO in another country. She probably feeds the weakest among them to Dr. Phil.

Posted at 10:25AM on Mar 15th 2007 by Roger C

54. STOP BITCHING all you idiots. First of all, the education system in the USA sucks. I didn't grow up here, and i am glad that i got a formal education elsewhere. I went to an all girls school. wore uniforms, obeyed my teachers, and did as i was told. I did not curse at my teachers, throw things at them in retaliation to them trying to help me. I went to a boarding school and the rules in Oprah's school arent any different. School's with a good system intact do not want any distractions from the outside world to influence the children capacity for learning. I only saw my parents on weekends. And of course, like any NORMAL child, at first you were home sick, but once you focused on why you really came to the school, it didnt matter if you saw them only on the weekends. And yes, junk food should not be allowed. OPEN your minds and stop with the tunnel vision. What's good for you isnt necessary good for someone else OR the right thing. Just because in America you people like to eat crap and behave badly and act as if you're know-it-alls doesnt mean everywhere else in the world needs to abide by YOUR rules. YOu don't OWN the rest of the world so get over yoruself already. When you can sit down and take the A-Levels, O-levels, or CXCs then we'll talk. 60% of America would fail if they were subject to the strict education rules elsewhere...Ugh.

Posted at 10:55AM on Mar 13th 2007 by NIKKI

55. TO "DENISE"..........NO... Oprah does not have the right to dominate these young girls!

She has let her wealth and success go to her head and she needs to get off of her high-horse.

She is not who she once was....she is....

VERY ARROGANT!

Posted at 10:58AM on Mar 13th 2007 by ROBIN

56. OK, so Oprah gives some girls free education that they wouldn't have access to, but the white-controlled media is pissed that the girls aren't being distracted by cell phones and computers when they're supposed to be doing homework. They're given healthy food and taught to excercise, and the media complains that they aren't being fattened up with junk food.

So, what, a healthy lifestyle=oppression? You're all just mad to see black girls getting a chance.

And why would she help America? She tried, but the kids didn't appreciate it. Use it or lose it.

Posted at 1:22PM on Mar 13th 2007 by zee

57. Most American school systems (boarding or day) do not allow students to operate cell phones, or eat during class time. I wasn't there when the agreement was struck, but if you let Oprah run things, I guess she's gonna run things her way...American.

Posted at 6:26PM on Mar 13th 2007 by Candace McClellan

58. Sounds like NIKKI got up on the wrong side of the bed! LOL!

Go back to where it is that you got such a high scaled education....why are you here ?

Posted at 11:03AM on Mar 13th 2007 by ROBIN

59. Good for Oprah's school. If American schools went back to those ways, maybe the teachers would have more control and the students will feel safe in an environment to learn. Without all this violence and drug use.

Good for her!!!!!!

Posted at 12:01PM on Mar 13th 2007 by Priscilla

60. If anyone one truly knew what it's like to live in or visit SA, they would understand that safety is #1 priority. What Oprah is doing is a blessing. She is lucky enough to have the money to help the future of SA. Unfortunately children in the US do not care nor want this level of education, simply want iPods and welfare checks. Children in SA pay for school and pay for their uniforms. Do you really think children here would go to school if they had to pay for an education. Oprah, we love you, and you are a role model for so many people.

Posted at 12:01PM on Mar 13th 2007 by Justin

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