Durrant Pate/Contributor

Data privacy firm Securys Jamaica has extended the deadline for first-cohort registration in its Privacy in Education (PiE) programme to Friday (July 25).

The extension comes following overwhelming demand at the recent Jamaica Independent Schools’ Association (JISA) Leadership Conference. Schools need only provide basic information to register; no payment is required at this stage. After July 25, registration will close until January 2026, leaving schools exposed during the interim. 

Jamaica’s Data Protection Act (DPA) brings sweeping change to how organisations manage personal data and with schools being one of the most vulnerable and underserved sectors, are being urged to act. Non-compliance carries real risks such as fines of up to four per cent of annual turnover, reputational damage, and disruptions to school operations. 

Many institutions, such as schools, are already behind on their legal obligations; this programme is a timely, targeted lifeline. The PiE programme, developed under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between JISA and Securys, offers a structured, affordable path to full DPA compliance tailored specifically for schools.

Details on PiE

PIE provides schools with a clear, multi-year roadmap to compliance. It begins with a privacy posture and exposure review to assess current risks, followed by a customised remediation roadmap. Each participating school is assigned a dedicated Data Protection Officer to guide implementation. 

The programme includes staff training and awareness workshops, assistance with developing data protection policies and procedures tailored to the school environment and sensitisation sessions with key stakeholders, including parents, students, and suppliers. The five-year pricing is fixed and aligned with academic cycles, ensuring affordability and predictability in budgeting.

Fresh from its impactful showing at the JISA conference, Securys presented at the private forum with school leaders, offering practical guidance on turning compliance into a strategic advantage with head of practice at Securys, Andre Palmer, declaring, “The law is already in effect, and enforcement is coming. This isn’t about checking a box; it’s about leadership and trust. We’re making compliance practical and affordable so schools can take decisive action now, not later.”

Reflecting on the impact of the event, JISA president Tamar McKenzie advised, “What we’re seeing is a shift in mindset. School leaders are no longer asking if they should act, but how, and PiE gives them that roadmap. It’s a bold and practical solution at just the right time. JISA is proud to be part of a movement that isn’t waiting for penalties to drive change but is instead choosing to lead, protect, and transform our schools from the inside out.”