This Whole School Thing Has Always Been A Bad Idea

There seems to be some type of resolution in the abuse scandal that has rocked Oprah's Ego School which is otherwise known as an all-girls Academy in South Africa that saw one of it's dorm mothers removed by authorities for unspecified allegations of abuse. Oprah Winfrey apologized yesterday to the parents of the kids in her school by saying, "I've disappointed you. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry." Therefore one must reason that the allegations were not hollow or false.

This whole school thing has been a boondoggle (another word I have always wanted to use) from the outset. What was once a $10M pledge turned into $46M and six years of time spent picking out bathroom tiles and what color uniforms her students would wear. I want to make it perfectly clear from the outset that people in many countries are desperate for education and deserve whatever we can do to make it happen and I am glad these 150 girls are getting an incredible education.

However, I have to think that there are better ways to spend that $46M. Only 152 girls go to the school. Do you know how many schools for how many thousands upon thousands of children could have been built in African countries for $46M? How many books that could have been bought. How many teachers salaries paid for? How many people of both sexes could have been educated and given a chance? Instead, Oprah took all that money and wants to create an elite class and 152 women beholden to her. I just can't think of a reason other than ego why Oprah did this. She must have realized at some point that her dollars could go so much further if she would just forsake the ego thing.

Do you realize there are 28 buildings for these 152 girls? 28 buildings, and that Oprah interviews all of the applicants. Why would she do that? To find the ones who can kiss her ass the best? To find the stories she can use for fodder on her show? My guess is that as soon as this first class graduates and has made Oprah their Queen, she will find a way to excuse herself from this mess. Hopefully next time, she will think more about others, and not just herself.