Kenya has strong schools in both the public and private sectors. The choice between them comes down to a handful of practical differences, and to what matters most for your child.
Curriculum
- Public schools teach the national curriculum, the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
- Private schools teach either CBC or an international curriculum: British, American, IB and others.
If you want an international curriculum, you are choosing a private school. Our comparison of the British curriculum and CBC sets out how they differ.
Class size
Class size is one of the clearest differences, and the one most worth asking about. Ask any school for its maximum class size, not its average.
Cost
Public primary schooling is free of tuition, though families still meet costs such as uniform and materials. Private schools charge fees, and the range is wide. Compare the full cost of a year, not tuition alone: our guide to the full cost of a school year lists every line to ask about.
Facilities
Facilities vary widely in both sectors. Ask to see them, and ask how often your child would actually use them: a pool or a track shared by a very large school is a different offer from one shared by a small one.
Accountability and communication
Ask how progress is reported, how often you will hear from your child's teacher, and who you can speak to when something is wrong.
Questions that decide it
- Which curriculum do you want, and where might your family be in five years?
- What is the maximum class size?
- What is the full cost of a year?
- Can you meet the teacher who would teach your child?
At Elyton
Elyton is a private school teaching the British National Curriculum, with classes capped at twenty-five and fees published openly. Come and see it: book a private weekday tour.
