# Modernization Report — 30 July 2026

## Completed

- Removed embedded production database credentials.
- Added secure environment/local configuration and a first-run administrator
  setup flow.
- Added CSRF protection to all current POST forms without requiring each large
  dashboard to duplicate security code.
- Hardened sessions, cookies, browser security headers, and production errors.
- Added login throttling for staff, learners, and business workspaces.
- Replaced predictable new-staff passwords with unique temporary passwords and
  first-login change notices.
- Added administrator-managed tuckshop/produce manager and cashier accounts,
  password resets, and access suspension.
- Added file-content validation to public learner photos, expense proofs, and
  teacher documents.
- Removed publicly callable diagnostic scripts and blocked sensitive files,
  directory indexes, and uploaded PHP execution.
- Added a shared academic planner with class timetable conflict checks and an
  audience-aware school events calendar.
- Added a responsive presentation layer across all dashboards: mobile menu,
  menu search, horizontal data tables, keyboard focus, skip links, text sizing,
  dark appearance, reduced-motion support, and improved touch targets.

## Existing strengths retained

The original platform already had broad functional coverage: admissions,
student IDs, attendance, marks/report cards, transfers, promotions, parent
links, announcements, WhatsApp integration, fees, payments, expenses, payroll,
assets, inventory, leave, e-learning, e-library, teacher documents, tuckshop,
produce, cashier sales, receipts, and audit logs.

## Recommended next phase

These are larger projects that should be planned with the school rather than
added as generic assumptions:

- Zimbabwe data-retention and consent policy review
- Automated encrypted backups with restore monitoring
- Two-factor authentication for administrators and finance users
- Medical, safeguarding, discipline, counselling, and transport modules
- Offline attendance capture and low-bandwidth synchronization
- A documented API and a native/mobile wrapper if required
- Automated end-to-end browser tests against a staging database
- Private, permission-checked downloads for sensitive uploaded documents

No software change alone certifies legal compliance. The school should approve
role permissions, retention periods, backup custody, and incident procedures
before production use.
