Equal Opportunities Learner’s Charter
“Everyone has a part to play in ensuring we achieve equality of opportunity. We believe that a positive attitude towards equality and diversity is right for our people, our clients and our business suppliers. This means that we must encourage all our people to welcome diversity and respect each person’s individuality”.
Gardenpalm academy is committed to ensuring that the admissions process will be open and transparent, and that no individual or group receives less favourable treatment by virtue of age, disability, economic status, faith, gender, marital status, sexuality, race, colour, and nationality, ethnic or national origin.
The following Learner Charter has been drawn up stating the standards of service you can expect to receive as a learner of Gardenpalm Academy
Using the Gardenpalm Academy can expect…
- to receive a highly quality learning experience
- to be given equal opportunities and treated fairly
- to be treated with courtesy
- to have access to advice, guidance and support to ensure your choices are informed ones and that your learning needs are met
- to learn in a healthy and safe environment
- to be provided with timely and appropriate information on your progress
- to have staff listen to any issues, suggestions or concerns you may have, and to respond in a relevant manner
In turn as a customer of Gardenpalm Academy we would like you to:
- be fully committed to your course
- treat our staff with courtesy
- provide us with appropriate information to help us meet your learning and assessment needs
- ensure that your behaviour contributes to a healthy and safe environment
- abide by any rules specifically relating to online assessment
communicate issues, suggestions or concerns using the procedures outlined in your Student Handbook.
If for any reason you wish to make a formal complaint, then please access our formal complaints procedure on the website or email Gardenpalmacademy@gmail.com. This policy has been approved.
Refund policy
At GardenPalm Institute, we strive to provide high-quality education and services to all our students. Please read our refund policy carefully before enrolling, as it outlines the terms and conditions regarding tuition fee refunds.
1. Eligibility for Refunds
o Refunds are only processed if the student has paid less than 30% of the total tuition fees.
o If the student has paid 30% or more of the total tuition fees, no refund will be processed.
2. Agreement to Terms
o By completing the admission process, students agree to adhere to the terms and conditions outlined in this refund policy.
3. Refund Processing Time
o Refunds for eligible payments (less than 30% of the total tuition fees) will be processed within 2 to 4 weeks from the date of the refund request.
4. Processing Fee
o A processing fee of 15% will be deducted from the refundable amount to cover administrative costs and taxes.
Data Protection policy
Introduction
This Policy sets out the obligations of Gardenpalm Academy,(“the Company”) regarding data protection and the rights of customers and business contacts (“data subjects”) in respect of their personal data under Data Protection Act 2018 (Formally EU Regulation 2016/679 General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”)).
The Data Protection Act 2018 defines “personal data” as any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (a “data subject”); an identifiable natural person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier, or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural, or social identity of that natural person.
This Policy sets the Company’s obligations regarding the collection, processing, transfer, storage, and disposal of personal data. The procedures and principles set out herein must be followed at all times by the Company, its employees, agents, contractors, or other parties working on behalf of the Company.
The Company is committed not only to the letter of the law, but also to the spirit of the law and places high importance on the correct, lawful, and fair handling of all personal data, respecting the legal rights, privacy, and trust of all individuals with whom it deals.
The Data Protection Principles
This Policy aims to ensure compliance with the Data Protection Act 2018. The Data Protection Act 2018 sets out the following principles with which any party handling personal data must comply. All personal data must be:
Processed lawfully, fairly, and in a transparent manner in relation to the data subject.
Collected for specified, explicit, and legitimate purposes and not further processed in a manner that is incompatible with those purposes. Further processing for archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes shall not be considered to be incompatible with the initial purposes.
Adequate, relevant, and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which it is processed.
Accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date. Every reasonable step must be taken to ensure that personal data that is inaccurate, having regard to the purposes for which it is processed, is erased, or rectified without delay.
Kept in a form which permits identification of data subjects for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which the personal data is processed. Personal data may be stored for longer periods insofar as the personal data will be processed solely for archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes, or statistical purposes, subject to implementation of the appropriate technical and organisational measures required by the Data Protection Act 2018 in order to safeguard the rights and freedoms of the data subject.
Processed in a manner that ensures appropriate security of the personal data, including protection against unauthorised or unlawful processing and against accidental loss, destruction, or damage, using appropriate technical or organisational measures.
The Rights of Data Subjects
The Data Protection Act 2018 sets out the following rights applicable to data subjects
The right to be informed’
The right of access,
The right to rectification,
The right to erasure (also known as the ‘right to be forgotten’),
The right to restrict processing,
The right to data portability,
The right to object; and
Rights with respect to automated decision-making and profiling.
Lawful, Fair, and Transparent Data Processing
The Data Protection Act 2018 seeks to ensure that personal data is processed lawfully, fairly, and transparently, without adversely affecting the rights of the data subject. The Data Protection Act 2018 states that processing of personal data shall be lawful if at least one of the following applies:
The data subject has given consent to the processing of their personal data for one or more specific purposes;
The processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a party, or in order to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract with them;
The processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which the data controller is subject;
The processing is necessary to protect the vital interests of the data subject or of another natural person;
The processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the data controller; or
The processing is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the data controller or by a third party, except where such interests are overridden by the fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subject which require protection of personal data, in particular where the data subject is a child.
If the personal data in question is “special category data” (also known as “sensitive personal data”) (for example, data concerning the data subject’s health), at least one of the following conditions must be met:
The data subject has given their explicit consent to the processing of such data for one or more specified purposes (unless EU or EU Member State law prohibits them from doing so);
The processing is necessary to protect the vital interests of the data subject or of another natural person where the data subject is physically or legally incapable of giving consent;
The processing relates to personal data which is clearly made public by the data subject;
The processing is necessary for the conduct of legal claims or whenever courts are acting in their judicial capacity;
Specified, Explicit, and Legitimate Purposes
The Company collects and processes the personal data set out in this Policy.
This includes:
Personal data collected directly from data subjects OR
Personal data obtained from third parties.
The Company only collects, processes, and holds personal data for the specific purposes set out in this Policy (or for other purposes expressly permitted by the Data Protection Act 2018).
Data subjects are kept informed at all times of the purpose or purposes for which the Company uses their personal data.
Adequate, Relevant, and Limited Data Processing
The Company will only collect and process personal data for and to the extent necessary for the specific purpose or purposes of which data subjects have been informed (or will be
informed).
Accuracy of Data and Keeping Data Up-to-Date
The Company shall ensure that all personal data collected, processed, and held by it is kept accurate and up-to-date. This includes, but is not limited to, the rectification of personal data at the request of a data subject.
The accuracy of personal data shall be checked when it is collected and at regular intervals thereafter. If any personal data is found to be inaccurate or out-of-date, all reasonable steps will be taken without delay to amend or erase that data, as appropriate.
Data Retention
The Company shall not keep personal data for any longer than is necessary in light of the purpose or purposes for which that personal data was originally collected, held, and processed.
When personal data is no longer required, all reasonable steps will be taken to erase or otherwise dispose of it without delay.
For full details of the Company’s approach to data retention, including retention periods for specific personal data types held by the Company, please refer to our Data Retention Policy.
Secure Processing
The Company shall ensure that all personal data collected, held, and processed is kept secure and protected against unauthorised or unlawful processing and against accidental loss, destruction, or damage. Further details of the technical and organisational measures which shall be taken are provided later in this Policy.
Accountability and Record-Keeping
The Company’s Data Protection
The Data Protection Officer shall be responsible for overseeing the implementation of this Policy and for monitoring compliance with this Policy, the Company’s other data protection-related policies, and with the Data Protection Act 2018 and other applicable data protection legislation.
The Company shall keep written internal records of all personal data collection, holding, and processing, which shall incorporate the following information:
The name and details of the Company, its Data Protection Officer, and any applicable third-party data processors;
The purposes for which the Company collects, holds, and processes personal data;
Details of the categories of personal data collected, held, and processed by the Company, and the categories of data subject to which that personal data relates;
Details of any transfers of personal data to non-EEA countries including all mechanisms and security safeguards;
Details of how long personal data will be retained by the Company; and
Detailed descriptions of all technical and organisational measures taken by the Company to ensure the security of personal data.
Privacy policy
Introduction
GardenPalm Academy (“we,” “our,” “us”) is committed to protecting the privacy and security of our students, instructors, and all visitors to our website. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you enroll in or interact with our online courses. This policy is in compliance with the regulations set forth by the Zambia Counselling Council and applicable laws in Zambia.
1. Information We Collect
We may collect personal information from you when you register for courses, interact with our website, or communicate with us. The types of information we collect include:
Personal Identification Information:
Full name, email address, phone number, mailing address, date of birth, and identification documents.
-Academic Information: Educational background, professional qualifications, and course enrollment history.
– **Payment Information: Credit/debit card details, bank account information, and billing address.
Technical Information:
IP address, browser type, operating system, and other technical details collected via cookies or similar technologies.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
Course Enrollment and Management: To process your registration, maintain student records, and deliver educational content.
Communication:To send you course updates, newsletters, and other relevant information.
Payment Processing: To handle tuition fees and other financial transactions.
Compliance and Legal Obligations: To comply with legal requirements, including those of the Zambia Counselling Council.
Improvement of Services: To enhance our website, course offerings, and overall user experience.
3. How We Share Your Information
We may share your information with third parties in the following circumstances:
Service Providers:
With trusted third-party vendors who assist us in operating our website, processing payments, or delivering educational content, provided they agree to keep this information confidential.
Legal Compliance:
When required by law or regulatory authorities, including the Zambia Counselling Council, to comply with legal obligations.
Business Transfers:** In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of our assets, your information may be transferred to the new owners.
4. Data Security**
We implement a variety of security measures to maintain the safety of your personal information. These measures include encryption, secure servers, and access controls. However, please note that no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure.
5. Data Retention**
We will retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.
6. Your Rights**
You have the right to:
– Access and review your personal information.
– Request corrections to your personal information.
– Withdraw your consent for data processing.
– Request the deletion of your personal information, subject to legal requirements.
7. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated “Effective Date.” We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your information.
8. Contact Us
By using our online courses and services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to this Privacy Policy.