Office of the Privacy Commissioner | Media release: New privacy guidance for schools
New guide gives practical help on school privacy issues.
29 September 2009
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Principals, teachers and boards of trustees facing privacy issues in schools can find useful guidance in a new book launched today 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. The increased use of internet and mobile technologies create new challenges for privacy protection,' said Ms Shroff.
'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 New Zealand privacy lawyer Kathryn Dalziel. The book includes discussions and examples of how to keep information safe in different situations schools face.
View the pdf of the book.
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Note for Editors
About the Author
Kathryn Dalziel is one of New Zealand's leading privacy lawyers and works as an associate with Christchurch law firm Taylor Shaw specialising in privacy law, employment law and civil litigation. Her publications include the first edition of this work and she has co-authored the chapter on health information in S P Johnson's 'Health Care and the Law'.
The book
A5, 50 pages, colour, $20 (plus p&p), available through the Office of the Privacy Commissioner, (ph) 09-302 8680, (fax) 09-302 2305, PO Box 466 Shortland St, Auckland, or email: enquiries@privacy.org.nz. The book is also available as a free pdf that can be downloaded from www.privacy.org.nz.
For further information contact: Annabel Fordham 021 509 735 or 04 474 7598