Best schools in Nairobi
Education in Nairobi
As you might expect from an ex-colonial stronghold, English curricula predominate in the international schools, with the vast majority offering A levels. The primary schools (modelled on English preps) still send the majority of children to major British public schools for the next stage of their education.
In fact, Kenya still has elements harking back to its colonial past, and nowhere is this more apparent at the rural (think bush) boarding schools which tend to have very strong links with the Empire.
Kenyan private schools generally maintain a healthy balance between strong academics and extracurricular activities. Most participate in East African Model United Nations (the UN Headquarters for Africa is in Nairobi) and the President’s Award (the Kenyan equivalent to the Duke of Edinburgh Award). The better funded schools have impressive theatres and music schools and almost all have excellent sports facilities. The Kenyan climate and environment are favourable for educational field trips. But note that Kenyan private schools can be costly – in some cases exceeding South African school fees and airfares combined, but there are the cheaper options too including schools subsidised by certain religious communities.
It is rare – if not unheard of – for expats to send their children to Kenyan schools even though some offer IGCSEs and get great results. The main problem is that while English is spoken in the playgrounds, so is the local language of Kiswahili (and other tribal languages), which could isolate a foreign pupil.
These national schools (some of which have a mix of fee-paying and subsidised students) used to follow the 8-4-4 model but the new competency-based curriculum means Kenyans now follow two years of pre-primary and six years of primary (in English), roughly equivalent to English national curriculum year 1–6, when they study five subjects: maths, English, Kiswahili, science, social studies and Christian RE. Secondary level is divided into two three-year sections. The academic year starts in January, unlike the British and American schools, which follow their overseas counterparts.
Bear in mind that most schools in Kenya (even the best) have a hotch-potch of teachers - some seem to have degrees without an educational additional, others have teaching diploma without the degree. The schools just have to recruit who they can, including – occasionally – expat wives.
Choosing a school in Nairobi
You are very likely to find a school to suit your child, whether you want old-fashioned British, an American curriculum or something more alternative (eg Rudolph Steiner). You’ll also have plenty of choice when it comes to day vs boarding, larger vs smaller school or an emphasis on sports, arts or academics (or all three).
The first thing to consider when choosing the right school for your child is that the traffic in Nairobi is horrendous and the streets are a battlefield. The savvy solution is to get out your cheque book (also eyed up by the school bursar) and live in the most expensive spot you can afford - the main reason being that you’ll have a chance of getting your child to school before lunchtime.
There are exceptions, but most expat families choose to live either in Westlands Muthaiga and Karen. Along with ticking the right social box, Muthaiga and Westlands offer the largest choice of easily reachable international schools – and although some are easier to reach from Karen, it is definitely the underdog when it comes to range of choice within easy driving distance.
Once you’ve got your house sorted, buy the biggest 4x4 you can find as the road drill is simple here - big is good, bigger is better, gigantic wins. Some expats have their own drivers, and it’s also worth noting that most Kenyan private schools provide bus services, some of them door-to-door. It’s generally inadvisable for youngsters to use local transport services.
