Number of Schools in Kenya by County – Primary and Secondary

The total number of schools in Kenya was 93,988, including schools at all levels of education, such as pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools. 

These schools include both private and public institutions distributed across the country.

Quick Facts

1. The total number of schools in Kenya was 93,988 in 2023.
2. The total number of pre-primary schools was 47,666.
3. The number of primary schools in 2023 was 35,570.
4. The number of secondary schools was 10,752.

The number of pre-primary schools in Kenya

Pre-primary schools offer Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) and consist of PP1 and PP2. Pupils attend these schools at age four before joining lower primary school at age 6.

In 2023, the total number of registered pre-primary schools in Kenya was 47,666. These included 32,461 public schools and 15,205 private schools.^[1]

After finishing pre-primary education, pupils join lower primary school.

The number of primary schools in Kenya

The total number of primary schools in Kenya was 35,570 in 2023. The number of private primary schools was 11,739, while the number of public primary schools was 23,831.

The number of private primary schools increased significantly from 8,838 in 2022 to 11,739 in 2023.

According to the Competency-Based Curriculum, pupils enter lower primary school at the age of six and stay there until they are 11. Lower primary lasts for six years.^[2]

At age 12, the pupils leave lower primary school and join junior secondary school, where they study for three years. At the end of lower primary school, the pupils do a KAPSEA assessment.

Afterward, the pupils join the senior secondary school at age 15 and learn for an additional three years until they are 17.

The age of pupils is essential when tabulating both the Net Enrollment Ratio and the Gross Enrollment Ratio.

The number of secondary schools in Kenya

In 2023, the total number of secondary schools in Kenya was 10,752. The number of public secondary schools was 9,485, while the number of private secondary schools was 1,267.

Upon completing secondary school, students sit for the KCSE exam.

View: KCSE Performance Over the Years – KCSE Results

Number of primary schools by county

As of 2020, Kitui County had the highest number of public primary schools in Kenya, with 1,376 public schools and 147 private schools.

Counties with the highest number of public primary schools are as follows^[3]:

1. Kitui 1,376
2. Kakamega 911
3. Makueni 901
4. Homa Bay 879
5. Machakos 856
6. Bungoma 793
7. Nandi 759
8. Meru 744
9. Baringo 738
10. Nakuru 727

Counties with the lowest number of public primary schools include:

1. Mombasa 96
2. Lamu 110
3. Isiolo 116
4. Tana River 177
5. Samburu 183
6. Marsabit 185
7. Kirinyaga 198
8. Nairobi 205
9. Garissa 217
10. Taita Taveta 217

Number of secondary schools in Kenya by county

The county with the highest number of secondary schools as of 2020 was Nakuru, with 363 public secondary schools and 149 private secondary schools.

However, the county with the highest number of public schools was Kitui, which had 443 public secondary schools. Others include:

1. Kakamega 425
2. Makueni 390
3. Meru 388
4. Machakos 368
5. Bungoma 367
6. Nakuru 363
7. Kisii 359
8. Homa Bay 329
9. Murang’a 313

Nairobi and Mombasa counties had more private schools than public ones. In Nairobi, there were 206 private secondary schools compared to 101 public secondary schools.

Mombasa, on the other hand, had 79 private secondary schools compared to 50 private schools.

The counties with the lowest number of public secondary schools were:

1. Lamu 27
2. Isiolo 32
3. Tana River 33
4. Garissa 35
5. Marsabit 42
6. Samburu 44
7. Mombasa 50
8. Wajir 53
9. Turkana 57
10. Mandera 57
11. Taita Taveta 87
12. Kwale 91

See Also

1. KCSE Student Performance Over the Years – KCSE Results
2. National Government Expenditure on Education in Kenya
3. Do A Students Work for C Students – Kenya Perspective

References