Table of Contents
1 Introduction & Commitment
NOWA Education Centre ("we", "our", or "us") is committed to protecting the privacy and personal information of our students, parents, staff, and all visitors to our institution. This Privacy Policy outlines our practices regarding the collection, use, and protection of personal information in compliance with the Nigerian Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) 2019 and other applicable laws.
As an educational institution, we recognize the importance of privacy and are dedicated to maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive information entrusted to us. This policy applies to all personal information collected through our website, admission processes, school activities, and any other interactions with our institution.
Our Commitment
We are committed to: Protecting your privacy, being transparent about our data practices, using your information responsibly, and giving you control over your personal data.
2 Scope of This Policy
This Privacy Policy applies to:
- Current, prospective, and former students and their parents/guardians
- Current, prospective, and former employees and staff members
- Visitors to our premises and website
- Third-party service providers and partners
- All personal information collected through:
- Admission and enrollment processes
- Academic records and assessments
- School activities and events
- Website interactions and online portals
- Communication channels (email, phone, etc.)
3 Information We Collect
We collect various types of personal information necessary for educational and administrative purposes. The specific data collected depends on your relationship with our institution:
| Category | Types of Information | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Student Information | Full name, date of birth, gender, nationality, home address, contact details, previous school records, medical information, academic performance, disciplinary records, photographs | Academic administration, student welfare, school operations |
| Parent/Guardian Information | Full names, contact details, occupation, relationship to student, emergency contacts, financial information for fee payments | Communication, emergency situations, financial administration |
| Staff Information | Personal details, qualifications, employment history, background checks, salary information, performance records | Employment management, payroll, professional development |
| Website Visitors | IP address, browser type, device information, cookies, pages visited, time spent on site | Website analytics, user experience improvement |
Sensitive Information
We handle sensitive information (medical records, special educational needs, etc.) with extra care and only process it when necessary for student welfare or as required by law.
4 How We Use Your Information
We use personal information for legitimate educational and administrative purposes, including but not limited to:
- Academic Administration: Enrollment, course registration, grading, transcripts, academic counseling
- Student Welfare: Health and safety, counseling services, special needs support, disciplinary matters
- Communication: School announcements, newsletters, event invitations, emergency notifications
- Financial Administration: Fee billing, scholarship administration, financial aid processing
- School Operations: Transportation, meal services, security, facility management
- Legal Compliance: Meeting regulatory requirements, responding to legal requests
- Research & Development: Educational research (anonymized data), program improvement
5 Legal Basis for Processing
We process personal information based on one or more of the following legal grounds:
Consent
When you have given clear consent
Contract
To fulfill our contractual obligations
Legal Obligation
To comply with legal requirements
Vital Interests
To protect life or safety
6 Data Sharing & Third Parties
We may share personal information with third parties only when necessary and with appropriate safeguards in place:
- Educational Authorities: Examination bodies, regulatory agencies, government departments
- Service Providers: IT support, transportation, catering, medical services (with confidentiality agreements)
- Professional Advisors: Lawyers, auditors, consultants (under professional secrecy)
- Other Schools: For student transfers or collaborative programs
- Emergency Services: Police, medical services in emergency situations
International Transfers
We generally store and process data within Nigeria. Any international transfers (e.g., to overseas universities for applications) will only occur with appropriate safeguards and your consent where required.
7 Data Security & Protection
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction:
- Physical Security: Secure premises, access controls, locked filing cabinets
- Technical Security: Encryption, firewalls, secure servers, regular security updates
- Administrative Controls: Staff training, confidentiality agreements, access restrictions
- Regular Audits: Security assessments, vulnerability testing, compliance reviews
- Incident Response: Breach notification procedures, recovery plans
All staff members who handle personal information receive regular training on data protection principles and their responsibilities under the NDPR.
8 Data Retention Periods
We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including legal, accounting, or reporting requirements:
| Record Type | Retention Period | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Student academic records | Permanent | Educational history, alumni records |
| Financial records | 7 years after transaction | Legal and tax requirements |
| Employment records | 7 years after employment ends | Legal requirements |
| Website analytics | 26 months | Service improvement |
| Admission applications (unsuccessful) | 2 years | Future applications, statistical purposes |
9 Your Data Protection Rights
Under the Nigerian Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), you have the following rights regarding your personal information:
Right to Access
You can request copies of your personal information.
Right to Rectification
You can request correction of inaccurate information.
Right to Erasure
You can request deletion of your information in certain circumstances.
Right to Restrict Processing
You can request restriction of processing in certain circumstances.
Right to Data Portability
You can request transfer of your data to another organization.
Right to Object
You can object to processing in certain circumstances.
Response Time
We will respond to all legitimate requests within 30 days. There is no fee for exercising your rights, unless the request is unfounded or excessive.
10 Children's Privacy Protection
We take special care to protect the privacy of children under 13 years old:
- Parental consent is obtained for collection of personal information from children
- Parents/guardians can review, update, or delete their child's information
- We limit data collection from children to what is necessary for educational purposes
- We do not share children's information with third parties for marketing purposes
- Online activities for children are monitored and restricted to age-appropriate content
Parents/guardians who have concerns about their child's privacy can contact our Data Protection Officer at any time.
12 Policy Updates & Revisions
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or technology. When we make significant changes:
- We will post the updated policy on our website with a new effective date
- We will notify stakeholders of significant changes via email or other appropriate channels
- We will obtain consent where required by law for material changes
- Previous versions will be archived and available upon request
We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.
Notification of Changes
Major changes will be communicated at least 30 days before they take effect. Continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
13 Contact Information & Queries
For questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data protection practices, please contact:
Data Protection Officer
Name: Mrs. Adeola Williams
Email: dpo@nowaeducationcentre.edu.ng
Phone: +234 806 644 0585 (Ext. 501)
Hours: Mon-Fri, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
School Administration
Address: NOWA Education Centre, Karshi, Abuja
Email: info@nowaseckar.org
Phone: +234 806 644 0585
Website: www.nowaeducationcentre.edu.ng
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigeria's data protection authority.