Privacy Policy

Last Updated: 30 June 2026

Teach Abroad Online (“we”, “us”, “our”) operates www.teachabroadonline.co.za (the “Site”). We are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy in alignment with the Protection of Personal Information Act, No. 4 of 2013 (POPIA) of South Africa.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information, as well as your rights regarding your data. By using our Site or enrolling in our services, you consent to the practices described in this policy.

1. The Information We Collect

We collect personal information directly from you when you register on our site, purchase a course, submit a resume/CV, or fill out a form. This may include:

  • Identity and Contact Data: Full name, ID or passport number, email address, phone number, and physical/billing address.
  • Educational and Professional History: Academic qualifications, teaching certifications, employment history, and copy of your CV/Resume (collected for TEFL enrollment or job placement assistance).
  • Financial Data: Payment details and billing history (note: all financial transactions are processed securely through our third-party payment gateways; we do not store raw credit card credentials).
  • Technical and Usage Data: IP address, browser type, and user behavior analytics via cookies to optimize website performance.

2. Purpose and Lawful Basis for Processing Data

Under POPIA, we must have a lawful reason to process your data. We process your information to:

  1. Fulfill a Contract: To manage your student account, provide access to TEFL course portals, and issue certifications.
  2. Provide Job Placement Services: To share your credentials with international schools, recruitment partners, or platforms only at your explicit request and with your prior consent.
  3. Legitimate Business Interests: To improve website operations, respond to customer inquiries, and handle necessary legal or financial administrative tasks.
  4. Consent: For marketing purposes, such as sending you email newsletters about new teaching opportunities abroad (which you can opt out of at any time).

3. Sharing and Cross-Border Transfers of Data

Because our service involves connecting teachers with global opportunities, your personal data may need to be transferred internationally.

  • International Employers/Recruiters: If you utilize our job placement assistance, your qualifications and CV may be shared with educational institutions or recruiters located outside South Africa (e.g., in Asia, Europe, or South America). We will always request your specific permission before transmitting your credentials to an external employer.
  • Operators (Third-Party Service Providers): We utilize reliable digital operators to run our business, including learning management systems (LMS), secure payment gateways (e.g., PayFast/Yoco), and email delivery services. These partners are contractually bound to process your data with strict confidentiality and security measures equivalent to POPIA standards.

4. Data Security and Safeguards

We implement reasonable technical and organizational security controls to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, accidental loss, damage, or destruction. This includes encrypted website connections (HTTPS), restricted administrative access, and secure data storage systems.

In the unlikely event of a data breach that compromises your personal information, we are legally required to notify you and the South African Information Regulator as soon as reasonably possible.

5. Data Retention

We do not retain your personal information longer than is necessary to achieve the original purpose for which it was collected, or as required by South African law for accounting, legal, or reporting obligations.

6. Your Rights Under POPIA

As a data subject in South Africa, you possess the following rights:

  • Right to Access: You can request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
  • Right to Correction: You have the right to update or correct inaccurate, incomplete, or outdated personal details.
  • Right to Object/Delete: You can object to the processing of your data or request that we delete your information, subject to instances where we are legally required to keep it.
  • Right to Opt-Out: You can withdraw consent for any marketing communications at any point.

7. Children’s Privacy

Our services are exclusively directed to individuals who are at least 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18.

8. Contact Information and Information Officer

If you wish to exercise any of your data rights, lodge an inquiry, or reach out to our designated Information Officer, please contact us:

  • Email: info@teachabroadonline.co.za
  • Information Officer: Student Director of Teach Abroad Online

You also have the right to lodge a complaint directly with the South African Information Regulator if you believe we have mishandled your data: