Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

The Future Learning Institute (FLI) is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, enroll in our programs, or use our educational services.

We comply with applicable data protection laws including the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) in South Africa, Namibia's Data Protection Act, and where applicable, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

When you enroll in our programs or use our services, we may collect:

• Full name, date of birth, and contact information (email, phone number, address)
• Parent/guardian information for students under 18
• Educational history and qualifications
• Payment and billing information
• Government-issued identification numbers when required for examination registration
• Emergency contact information

2.2 Academic Information

Throughout your enrollment, we collect:

• Course selections and enrollment details
• Assignment submissions and grades
• Examination results and certificates
• Communications with instructors and support staff
• Progress reports and performance data

2.3 Psychometrics Data

If you complete our psychometrics evaluation, we collect:

• Assessment responses and results
• Aptitude and interest profiles
• Career preference data
• Recommended subject pathways

2.4 Technical Information

When you access our website and platforms:

• IP address and device information
• Browser type and version
• Operating system
• Pages visited and time spent on our site
• Referring website addresses
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information for the following purposes:

3.1 Educational Services

• Processing enrollment and registration
• Providing access to course materials and learning platforms
• Facilitating communication between students and educators
• Assessing academic progress and providing feedback
• Registering students for external examinations
• Issuing certificates and transcripts

3.2 Administrative Purposes

• Processing payments and managing billing
• Sending important notices about courses and policies
• Responding to inquiries and providing customer support
• Maintaining student records
• Complying with legal and regulatory requirements

3.3 Improvement and Marketing

• Analyzing website usage to improve our services
• Sending promotional materials about new courses (with consent)
• Conducting surveys and gathering feedback
• Developing new educational programs and services

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

4.1 Third-Party Service Providers

We may share your information with trusted third parties who assist us in operating our business:

• Learning management system providers
• Payment processors and financial institutions
• Cloud storage and hosting services
• Email and communication platforms
• Analytics and website optimization tools

These providers are contractually bound to protect your data and use it only for specified purposes.

4.2 Examination Boards

We share necessary information with Cambridge International Examinations and other examination boards for registration, examination administration, and certification purposes.

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information when required by law, court order, or government regulation, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of FLI, our students, or others.

4.4 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, student information may be transferred to the acquiring entity, subject to the same privacy protections.

5. Data Security

FLI implements appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Secure servers and firewalls
• Regular security audits and updates
• Access controls and authentication protocols
• Staff training on data protection
• Secure backup and disaster recovery procedures

While we strive to protect your information, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but will notify you promptly of any data breaches as required by law.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy:

• Student records: Maintained for 7 years after graduation or withdrawal
• Academic transcripts: Permanently retained for certification purposes
• Financial records: Retained for 7 years for tax and audit purposes
• Marketing communications: Until consent is withdrawn
• Website analytics: Typically anonymized after 26 months

After retention periods expire, we securely delete or anonymize personal information.

7. Your Rights

Under applicable data protection laws, you have the following rights:

7.1 Access and Portability

You have the right to request a copy of your personal information and receive it in a structured, commonly used format.

7.2 Correction

You may request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal information.

7.3 Deletion

You may request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal and contractual obligations (e.g., academic records required for certification).

7.4 Restriction and Objection

You may request restriction of processing or object to certain uses of your personal information, such as direct marketing.

7.5 Withdraw Consent

Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of prior processing.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact our Data Protection Officer using the contact information provided below.

8. Children's Privacy

Many of our students are under 18 years of age. We take additional precautions to protect children's privacy:

• Parental consent is required for enrollment of students under 18
• Parents have the right to review their child's information
• Parents may request deletion of their child's information (subject to academic record requirements)
• We do not knowingly market directly to children without parental consent

9. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience:

9.1 Types of Cookies

• Essential cookies: Required for website functionality and security
• Performance cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our site
• Functional cookies: Remember your preferences and settings
• Marketing cookies: Used to deliver relevant advertisements (with consent)

9.2 Cookie Management

You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may limit your ability to use some features of our website.

10. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries outside of Namibia and South Africa, including for cloud storage and examination board processing. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as standard contractual clauses approved by data protection authorities.

11. Third-Party Websites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will post the updated policy on our website with a revised "Last Updated" date. Material changes will be communicated to enrolled students via email.

13. Contact Us

For questions about this Privacy Policy, to exercise your data protection rights, or to file a complaint: