More than 200 private schools are expected to benefit from a three-year agreement which will help them comply with the Data Protection Act (DPA), 2020 without putting a strain on their budgets.

Jamaica Independent Schools Association (JISA) and data protection and privacy company Securys Jamaica Limited signed a three-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Wednesday.

“Private schools want to comply with the law, but it can be tougher without government funding. This partnership with Securys gives our schools access to real guidance and solutions, designed specifically for their needs,” JISA President Tamar McKenzie told the Jamaica Observer.

Securys will collaborate with JISA to educate and train school leaders and staff on DPA requirements and compliance strategies. It will also provide cost-effective solutions to help schools implement strong data protection measures without incurring excessive costs. The agreement is geared towards ensuring schools understand their responsibilities for safeguarding personal data.

“This includes protecting sensitive information related to students, parents, staff, and suppliers while making compliance more accessible and cost-effective,” McKenzie continued.

She said the partnership with Securys is designed to provide long-term, evolving support as data protection laws and best practices continue to develop.

“Navigating the DPA has proven challenging and expensive for many private schools. These institutions routinely collect and store vast amounts of sensitive data, from student records and staff details to parent contact information and supplier contracts. However, many schools are uncertain about how to properly manage and protect this data,” noted McKenzie.

She explained that after a media report highlighted the challenges private schools were facing in complying with the DPA Securys initiated contact and offered to provide “expert guidance and cost-effective solutions for data protection”.

“With their global experience and commitment to the region, they proposed a collaboration that would make compliance more accessible and manageable for schools. This led to discussions on how best to structure the partnership, ultimately resulting in the MOU we signed,” added the JISA president.

Securys Head of Commercial Operations Junior Darrell said the partnership goes beyond compliance, and fosters a culture of trust and responsibility within schools.

“Schools handle some of the most sensitive personal data: student records, staff details, parent contacts, and more. Protecting this information isn’t just a legal requirement; it’s about safeguarding the people behind the data. Our goal is to help schools meet their obligations in a way that is realistic, effective, and sustainable,” he said.