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Student Data Privacy

Are student grades public information?

No, grades are personal data. Schools generally cannot post them publicly or share them with other students/parents without consent.

Can a school record video in classrooms?

Video surveillance in classrooms is generally restricted to specific purposes (security) and requires strict adherence to privacy laws. Continuous monitoring of the educational process is usually not allowed.

Do parents have access to their adult child's university records?

Once a student turns 18, they are an adult, and universities cannot share their data with parents without the student's written consent.

How long should student records be kept?

Retention periods vary by document type. Some academic records are kept permanently, while disciplinary notes may need to be deleted after a certain period.

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Student Data Privacy and Protection

Educational institutions hold vast amounts of sensitive information about pupils and students. This includes not only academic performance (grades) but also personal identification data, health records, disciplinary records, and family information. In the era of digital gradebooks and e-learning systems, protecting this data is critically important. Georgian legislation strictly protects student privacy and prohibits unauthorized disclosure of data, even with good intentions (e.g., publicly announcing grades). A data breach can cause severe psychological harm to a minor and result in substantial fines for the school or university.

This service helps schools, universities, kindergartens, and EdTech companies create a data protection system that is fully compliant with legislation and ensures student trust.

What Does Student Data Privacy Service Cover?

Specialists on Legal.ge offer full legal support in the field of data protection:

  • Drafting Internal Policies: Creating a personal data protection policy for the educational institution, defining who has access to student files.
  • Parental and Student Consent: Preparing consent forms for photo-video recording, excursions, and data transfer to third parties (e.g., insurance, olympiads).
  • Audit of Electronic Systems: Checking electronic gradebooks and databases for security standards.
  • Staff Training: Training teachers and administration to prevent accidental violations (e.g., discussing a student's grades with other parents).
  • Incident Response: Legal assistance in case of a data breach, including communication with the Personal Data Protection Service.

Common Real-World Scenarios and Needs

Data privacy violations in an educational setting often happen inadvertently:

  • Public Announcement of Grades: A teacher read students' grades aloud in class or posted a list in the hallway, violating student privacy and leading to bullying.
  • Publishing Photos: A school posted photos of an event on social media without parental consent, showing children whose parents did not want them identified.
  • Leak of Health Data: A school doctor or teacher shared information about a student's diagnosis with unauthorized persons.
  • Cyberattack on Database: A university server was hacked, and students' personal numbers and addresses were leaked online.

Georgian Legal Framework

The field is regulated by the Law of Georgia on Personal Data Protection, which grants special protection to minors' data and health information (special category data). Also important are the Law on General Education and the General Administrative Code of Georgia (for public schools), which establish the scope of public information and secrecy. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Code on the Rights of the Child of Georgia create additional guarantees for the privacy of children.

Service Process

The process includes the following steps:

  1. Inventory: Determining what types of data the institution collects (questionnaires, medical records, video surveillance).
  2. Defining Access Rights: Determining which school employee should have access to what.
  3. Updating Forms: Adding data processing clauses to contracts and registration forms.
  4. Security Measures: Implementing physical (locking cabinets) and digital (passwords) security rules.

Why Choose a Specialist on Legal.ge?

Protecting student data requires a delicate approach and knowledge of children's rights. On Legal.ge, you will find lawyers experienced in working with educational institutions. They will help you protect your students and avoid legal problems.

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