New guide gives practical help

Principals, teachers and boards of trustees facing privacy issues in schools can find useful guidance in a new book recently launched by Privacy Commissioner, Marie Shroff.

“Today’s schools are using new systems for managing student enrolment, health records and immunisation programmes. They are collecting and holding an increasing amount of potentially sensitive personal information,” said Ms Shroff.

“The increased use of internet and mobile technologies create new challenges for privacy protection.

“The book looks at, for example, the use of CCTV cameras in schools, placing photos of students on school websites, and when schools can disclose personal information to other agencies. Schools are telling us that they need some help with these issues and they need it now.

“Student and family information needs to be handled well – how it’s collected, stored, used and disclosed. Good management of this personal information is important in maintaining the trust needed between schools, home and community,” said Ms Shroff.

Privacy in Schools – a guide to the Privacy Act for principals, teachers and boards of trustees, is written by leading NZ privacy lawyer Kathryn Dalziel.

The book includes discussions and examples of how to keep information safe in different situations schools face.