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Kenyan families take education seriously, and many make big sacrifices to see their children through school. Once you're here, you can choose from public, private, and international schools and nurseries for the youngest children.
Many public schools are underfunded and have too few qualified teachers and stretched resources, especially in rural and low-income areas. There are good government schools, particularly in the cities, but most expats still go private or international. Those routes tend to be less disruptive for your child, especially on a short posting.
Public schools in Kenya
Since 2017, the government has been rolling out the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system, and the old 8-4-4 system is being phased out. CBE is built around practical skills and continuous assessment, rather than the exam drilling it replaced.
Under CBE, children move up through several stages:
- Pre-primary (PP1 and PP2), ages 4 to 5
- Primary school (Grades 1 to 6), ages 6 to 11
- Junior school (Grades 7 to 9), ages 12 to 14
- Senior school (Grades 10 to 12), ages 15 to 17
The leaving exams are different now too. The Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) was retired in 2023, and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) is on its way out as the last 8-4-4 classes finish school. Children now sit the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) at the end of Grade 6 and the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) at the end of Grade 9. The Ministry of Education uses Grade 9 results to place students in senior school, where they follow one of three pathways: STEM, the social sciences, or arts and sports science.
There's no tuition at public day schools. You'll still cover uniforms, meals, stationery, and the odd activity fee, though. Public schools are unevenly resourced, so a well-funded school in Nairobi or Mombasa may have more subjects on the timetable and smaller classes than a stretched rural one.
English is the main language of instruction from upper primary onwards, while Kiswahili is compulsory from Grade 1 right through senior school. In the early grades, lessons are often taught in the local language of the area.
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Private schools in Kenya
If you're coming from the UK, you'll find private schools in Kenya familiar, since many of them are modelled on the British system. They tend to have smaller classes, better facilities, more individual attention, and a fuller programme of sport, music, drama, and clubs than most public schools. Standards are generally higher than in the public system too, mostly thanks to better funding and resources.
Many private schools also have more freedom over their curriculum, and you'll find both Kenyan and British systems on offer. Fees are lower than at international schools but higher than the largely free public system. On top of tuition, you'll pay for uniforms, textbooks, transport, and extras like clubs and trips.
International schools in Kenya
Nairobi has the widest choice of international schools in Kenya, although Mombasa and a few other towns have options too. British-curriculum schools are especially common, thanks to Kenya's long educational ties with Britain. You'll also find the International Baccalaureate (IB) at some schools, plus French, German, Swedish, American, and Dutch national curricula for families who want them.
Standards are high. Teachers are usually well qualified and experienced, and classes are small enough for children to get proper attention. Most schools also have a full programme of sport, drama, music, and outdoor activities.
The catch is cost. On top of tuition, budget for textbooks, uniforms, stationery, and trips, and boarding is available at some schools for an additional fee. If you're moving to Kenya for work, try to negotiate an allowance for school fees into your package, because international school costs add up fast.
International Schools in Nairobi
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Nurseries in Kenya
Nurseries and kindergartens in Kenya are easy to find, especially in larger cities like Nairobi and Mombasa. The early years matter enormously for a child's development. In the first five years or so, children pick up the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical foundations they build on for the rest of their schooling. Nurseries are also a handy place to meet other parents and start building a social circle.
Play-based learning is the norm at most nurseries, and the focus is on all-around early development. Some are attached to larger international schools, and a number follow the Montessori method. Fees at these can be steep.
When you're choosing a nursery, weigh up how close it is to home or work, along with the teachers' qualifications, the fees, the facilities, and the curriculum.
Special educational needs in Kenya
For special educational needs in Kenya, private and international schools are generally better set up than the public system. Many draw up an Individualised Education Plan (IEP) for each child so that teaching is tailored to their needs. They often employ trained special-needs teachers and therapists. Many bring children with disabilities into mainstream classes alongside their peers, and they generally have better access to assistive technology and specialist materials.
Public schools are far less well equipped. Many are short of resources, trained staff, accessible buildings, and specialist materials, and some can't properly support children with disabilities at all.
If you're moving to Kenya with a child who needs extra support, contact private and international schools directly and ask exactly what they provide. That might mean extra learning-support sessions, therapy, teaching assistants, or adapted devices for children with hearing or visual impairments. The government's Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) assesses children with special needs and can point you towards suitable schools and services.
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Tutors in Kenya
Tutors in Kenya are easy to find, and many families bring one in around exam time. Online tutoring platforms are the usual starting point, and word of mouth from other parents or teachers is a solid option too.
Online tutoring is flexible. Children can learn at their own pace and book sessions around the school day. Most platforms also have recorded lessons, practice exercises, quizzes, and other study tools, and children can work with tutors anywhere in the country, so they're not stuck with whoever lives nearby.
Around exam time, a good tutor will draw up a revision plan, run practice papers, target weak spots, and help your child keep exam nerves in check.