Privacy Policy

GOLDEN COMPASS PRIVACY POLICY

GC Tuition (Pty) Ltd trading as Golden Compass

Effective Date: 15 March 2026
Last Updated: 15 March 2026
Policy Version: 1.0

Privacy Policy Summary

This Privacy Policy explains how Golden Compass (GC Tuition (Pty) Ltd) collects, uses, stores, and protects personal information when providing tutoring and academic coaching services.

In summary:

We collect personal information necessary to provide tutoring services and support students.
Student information is processed with the consent of a parent or legal guardian where required.
Tutors and academic coaches may access relevant student information only to deliver tutoring services.
Tutoring sessions may be recorded for safeguarding, quality assurance, and dispute resolution purposes.
We do not sell personal information.
Personal information may be shared with tutors, service providers, or authorities only where necessary.
Users have rights under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) including access, correction, and deletion requests.

For full details, please read the complete Privacy Policy below.

1. About Golden Compass

Golden Compass is operated by GC Tuition (Pty) Ltd, a private company registered in South Africa.

Golden Compass provides tutoring and academic coaching services to students and parents. Tutors and academic coaches may be engaged as independent contractors to deliver these services.

GC Tuition (Pty) Ltd is the responsible party for the processing of personal information collected through our website, consultations, tutoring services, and related educational activities.

Privacy enquiries may be directed to:

Email: info@goldencompasstuition.co.za
Website: www.goldencompasstuition.co.za

Golden Compass processes personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA).

2. Scope of This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to information collected through:

the Golden Compass website
consultation bookings and enquiries
online tutoring platforms
advertising lead forms (including social media lead forms)
communications between Golden Compass, students, parents, tutors, and coaches.

This policy primarily applies to information collected through online interactions and digital systems used by Golden Compass.

3. Definition of Personal Information

For the purposes of this Privacy Policy, Personal Information refers to information relating to an identifiable, living natural person or juristic person as defined under POPIA.

Examples include:

name and surname
contact information
identity or identification numbers
academic information
financial transaction information
online identifiers such as IP addresses
information relating to a student’s education or academic performance.

4. Sources of Personal Information

Golden Compass may collect personal information from:

information provided directly by parents, guardians, or students through enquiries or consultations
documents voluntarily submitted such as school report cards or academic records
communications with tutors, coaches, or administrative staff
interactions with our website or tutoring platforms
advertising interactions (for example through Facebook lead forms)
publicly available sources where relevant.

5. Categories of Personal Information Collected

Parent or Guardian Information

We may collect:

name and surname
email address
telephone number
communication preferences
billing information including physical address.

Student Information

To provide tutoring services we may collect:

student name and identity number
grade level
school attended
subjects requiring tutoring
academic performance information
school report cards or academic records
learning challenges or educational requirements.

Submission of academic documentation is voluntary, but may assist tutors and coaches in delivering effective academic support.

Information Collected from Tutors and Coaches

Where individuals apply to provide tutoring or coaching services, Golden Compass may collect:

name and contact details
academic qualifications
subject specialisations
identity verification information
professional or academic background.

This information is used for recruitment, verification, and service delivery purposes.

6. Special or Sensitive Personal Information

Parents or students may voluntarily provide information relating to:

learning disabilities
health conditions affecting learning
psychological or educational support needs
religious considerations affecting scheduling.

Golden Compass will only process such information:

with appropriate consent; or
where permitted by law.

7. Online Tutoring Platform Information

Tutoring sessions may take place through online platforms such as:

Zoom
Google Meet
Microsoft Teams
other online educational platforms.

Information processed during tutoring sessions may include:

usernames or display names
platform email addresses
session attendance data
chat messages or shared files
session recordings where applicable.

These platforms may process personal information according to their own privacy policies.

8. Communication Records

Golden Compass may retain records of communications between students, parents, tutors, coaches, and administrative staff.

This may include:

email correspondence
consultation notes
scheduling communications
platform messages
customer support requests.

Communication records may be retained where necessary for service delivery, safeguarding, quality assurance, dispute resolution, or legal compliance.

9. Platform and Session Interaction Logs

Golden Compass may maintain system logs relating to the use of its website and tutoring platforms.

Logs may include:

account access records
tutoring session attendance
platform usage activity
system error logs
security monitoring data.

These records are used to maintain platform security, troubleshoot technical issues, and improve services.

10. Payment Information

Where payments are made via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) or similar methods, Golden Compass may receive:

payee name
bank payment references
transaction confirmation information
payment dates and amounts.

This information is used solely for accounting, billing verification, and financial record-keeping purposes.

Golden Compass does not collect or store credit card information through its website unless explicitly stated.

11. Advertising and Analytics Information

Golden Compass may use analytics and advertising technologies including:

Google Analytics
Meta (Facebook) Pixel

These tools may collect information relating to website visits, advertising interactions, and browsing behaviour.

This information helps improve website functionality and advertising effectiveness.

Users may also be presented with a cookie consent notice when visiting the website which allows them to accept, reject, or manage certain cookie preferences.

Users may control cookie preferences through their browser settings.

12. Processing of Information About Minors

Golden Compass provides tutoring services primarily to school-aged students, many of whom are minors under the age of 18.

In accordance with POPIA:

personal information relating to minors will only be processed with the consent of a parent or legal guardian
parents or guardians are responsible for ensuring that information provided about a minor is accurate and lawful.

Golden Compass does not knowingly collect personal information directly from minors without parental involvement.

13. Consent Records

Golden Compass may retain records of consent provided by users, parents, or guardians in relation to:

participation in tutoring services
recording of tutoring sessions
marketing communications
submission of academic documentation.

These records may be retained for compliance, safeguarding, and verification purposes.

14. Purpose of Processing Personal Information

Golden Compass processes personal information for purposes including:

responding to enquiries
scheduling consultations
delivering tutoring and academic coaching services
matching students with tutors or coaches
monitoring academic progress
managing tutoring sessions and communication
processing payments and maintaining financial records
improving educational services
analysing website and advertising performance
maintaining platform security
supporting safeguarding obligations
complying with legal and regulatory obligations
preventing fraud, misuse of services, or other unlawful activity

Golden Compass processes personal information on the basis of one or more lawful grounds, including:

the consent of the data subject or their parent or guardian
the necessity of processing for the provision of tutoring services
compliance with legal obligations
legitimate interests relating to the safe and effective operation of tutoring services.

15. Direct Marketing

Golden Compass may send information regarding tutoring services, consultations, or educational resources.

Marketing communications will only be sent:

with the consent of the recipient; or
where permitted under applicable law.

Recipients may opt out of marketing communications at any time by contacting Golden Compass or using any unsubscribe options provided.

16. Access to Student Information

Personal information relating to students may be accessed by authorised individuals including:

tutors providing instruction
academic coaches supporting student progress
authorised administrative staff
management responsible for overseeing educational services.

Tutors and coaches engaged by Golden Compass operate as independent contractors and may access student information only to the extent necessary to provide tutoring services.

All individuals with access to personal information, including tutors and academic coaches, are expected to maintain strict confidentiality and may only use such information for purposes directly related to providing tutoring services.

17. Recording of Tutoring Sessions

Tutoring sessions conducted through online platforms may be recorded for purposes including:

student safety and safeguarding
tutor training and quality assurance
monitoring academic progress
dispute resolution
investigation of complaints.

Recordings may be stored:

locally on secure systems; or
within secure cloud storage provided by the online platform used.

Recordings are not used for advertising or marketing purposes without explicit consent.

Participation in tutoring sessions may constitute consent to such recordings where they are used for legitimate educational or safeguarding purposes.

18. Recording Redistribution Restriction

Session recordings are provided for internal educational and safeguarding purposes only.

Parents, students, tutors, or other participants may not distribute, publish, share, or publicly display tutoring session recordings without the prior written consent of Golden Compass.

Unauthorised redistribution of recordings may result in termination of services and may constitute a breach of applicable law.

19. Safeguarding and Tutor Conduct

Golden Compass is committed to maintaining a safe learning environment for students.

To support safeguarding:

tutoring sessions may be monitored or recorded
complaints regarding tutor or student conduct may be investigated
communication records and recordings may be reviewed where necessary.

Golden Compass expects tutors, students, and parents to engage respectfully during tutoring sessions.

20. Use of Records for Dispute Resolution

Where concerns, complaints, or disputes arise relating to tutoring services, Golden Compass may review relevant records including:

tutoring session recordings
communication records
platform logs
consultation notes.

These records may be used solely for investigating and resolving disputes or safeguarding concerns.

21. Sharing of Personal Information

Golden Compass does not sell personal information.

Information may be shared where necessary with:

Tutors and Academic Coaches
Independent contractors providing tutoring services.

Service Providers

Third-party providers assisting with operations such as:

cloud storage services
scheduling platforms
communication tools
IT service providers.

Service providers are expected to process personal information under appropriate confidentiality obligations and security safeguards.

Advertising Platforms

Advertising platforms such as Meta may process data relating to advertising interactions.

Legal Authorities
Information may be disclosed where required by law or to establish, exercise, or defend legal rights.

22. Cross-Border Data Transfers

Certain service providers used by Golden Compass may process or store data outside South Africa.

Where this occurs, Golden Compass takes reasonable steps to ensure that the recipient organisation provides an adequate level of protection in accordance with POPIA.

23. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to:

improve website functionality
analyse website traffic
measure advertising effectiveness
enhance user experience.

Users may disable cookies through their browser settings, although certain website features may not function properly if cookies are disabled.

24. Third-Party Websites

The Golden Compass website or communications may contain links to third-party websites or external services.
Golden Compass does not control and is not responsible for the privacy practices, policies, or content of these third-party websites.

Users are encouraged to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites they visit before providing personal information.

25. Data Security

Golden Compass implements reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against:

unauthorised access
loss
misuse
alteration
disclosure.

Security measures may include secure servers, encryption, access controls, and cybersecurity monitoring.

While Golden Compass takes reasonable steps to protect personal information, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure, and absolute security cannot be guaranteed.

26. Data Breach Notification

In the event of a data breach involving personal information, Golden Compass will:

investigate the incident promptly
take reasonable steps to mitigate potential harm
notify affected data subjects where required
notify the Information Regulator of South Africa where required by law.

27. Retention of Personal Information

Personal information will be retained only for as long as reasonably necessary to:

provide tutoring services
maintain academic and financial records
comply with legal obligations
establish, exercise, or defend legal rights.

Examples include:

billing and financial records retained as required by law
session recordings retained only as long as reasonably necessary for safeguarding, quality assurance, or dispute resolution
marketing leads retained for a reasonable business period unless deletion is requested.

Golden Compass may retain anonymised or de-identified information indefinitely for statistical or educational improvement purposes.

28. Your Rights Under POPIA

You have the right to:

request access to personal information held about you
request correction of inaccurate information
request deletion of personal information where appropriate
object to processing of personal information
object to direct marketing communications
withdraw consent where processing is based on consent
lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator.

Requests may be submitted using the contact details below.

29. Educational Disclaimer

Golden Compass provides tutoring and academic support intended to assist students in their learning.

While tutors and coaches may review academic records such as report cards and provide guidance based on those records, Golden Compass does not guarantee specific academic outcomes.

Educational advice and tutoring strategies are provided for support purposes and should not be interpreted as guarantees of academic performance.

30. Updates to This Policy

Golden Compass may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.

The most current version will always be available on our website.

31. Contact Information

Golden Compass
GC Tuition (Pty) Ltd

Privacy or data protection enquiries may be directed to:

Email: info@goldencompasstuition.co.za
Website: www.goldencompasstuition.co.za

32. Information Regulator

Complaints may be directed to:

Information Regulator (South Africa)
Website: https://www.inforegulator.org.za