Last reviewed: 25 October 2026
Whether you are opening a new private school or adding junior school (Grades 7 to 9) to an existing primary, your buildings and facilities will be inspected before registration. This guide explains the main areas school owners need to plan for under the Competency-Based Curriculum, and where to confirm the exact official standards.
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Where the rules come from
Registration of schools in Kenya is governed by the Basic Education Act, 2013 and its regulations, with applications handled through the County Education Board and assessed by Ministry of Education quality assurance officers. The Ministry also applies its Registration Guidelines for Basic Education Institutions (2021) and the Safety Standards Manual for Schools (2008); its 2024 safety compliance assessment of boarding schools checked fences, fire equipment and sanitation against both. Standards are revised from time to time, so get the current checklist from your Sub-County Director of Education before you build. Our private school registration steps guide explains the process.
1. Land and ownership
You will need proof that you own or lawfully lease the land, such as a title deed or a registered lease. The site should be safe, accessible, away from obvious hazards and suitable for the number of learners you plan to admit. County planning approval for the buildings is also required.
2. Classrooms
Classrooms must be structurally sound, well lit and ventilated, with enough space for learners to move and work in groups, which CBC encourages. Plan furniture that can be rearranged for group work rather than fixed rows. Check the recommended class size and floor space with your quality assurance officer, as the official figures differ by level.
3. Facilities for CBC learning areas
CBC is practical, so plan space for hands-on work:
- Pre-primary: safe indoor and outdoor play areas and learning corners.
- Primary: space for creative arts, agriculture or a school garden, and physical education.
- Junior school: a science laboratory or well-equipped science room for Integrated Science, plus space for Pre-Technical Studies and Agriculture practicals. Computer or digital learning access supports several learning areas.
- Library or reading area with age-appropriate books.
For a deeper look at adding Grades 7 to 9, read how to start a CBC junior school.
4. Water, sanitation and hygiene
Inspectors look closely at toilets. Plan separate facilities for boys, girls and staff, in numbers that match your enrolment, plus handwashing points with clean water. Provide sanitary disposal facilities for girls. A reliable water supply, such as mains water plus a storage tank, is essential, and a public health certificate is usually required.
5. Safety
- A perimeter fence and controlled gate
- Fire extinguishers, clear exits and fire drill records
- Safe stairs and railings in storeyed buildings
- A first-aid kit and a sick bay or quiet area
- Safe kitchen and food storage if you serve meals
- Roadworthy, properly licensed vehicles if you offer transport (see our school transport safety guide)
6. Accessibility
Ramps, accessible toilets and level paths make your school open to learners with physical disabilities. Kenya’s laws on persons with disabilities support access to education, and many parents now ask about inclusion. See our page on special needs education for context.
7. Offices and records
Plan an office for the head teacher, a staffroom and secure storage for records. Inspectors will ask for admission registers, attendance records, staff files and assessment records. Keeping these in a school management system, such as Anademy ERP, makes it much easier to produce them on demand.
Budgeting for infrastructure
Buildings are usually the largest start-up cost. Build in phases: classrooms and sanitation for the first grades, then labs and specialist rooms as you grow. Our guide to the cost of starting a private school helps you plan, and the school budget template keeps spending on track.
Before you pour concrete
Visit your Sub-County Education Office with your plans first. Ten minutes of advice before construction can save you from rebuilding a toilet block or classroom that does not meet the standard.