Parents visit a school website to answer practical questions: how to join, what it costs, how to pay, when term starts and how to contact the school. Put admissions requirements, the fee structure, M-Pesa Paybill instructions, the term calendar and contacts first; then add news, galleries and portals. Get parents' consent before publishing photos of children, and use a .sc.ke or .ac.ke address if you qualify.
In this guide
Parents in Kenya now check a school online before they visit, during admissions, and every time a fee or term-date question comes up. A good school website answers those questions without a phone call, shows the school at its best, and saves the office hours of work every term. A poor one — or none at all — sends parents to WhatsApp groups and rumours instead.
Here is what to include, in order of what parents actually look for.
What parents look for first
Put these where a parent on a phone finds them within one or two taps:
- Admissions — who can join, which grades or forms have space, requirements, documents, the application process and dates.
- Fee structure — per term, per grade, with what is included (lunch, transport, boarding, activities). A downloadable PDF that you update every year.
- How to pay fees — your Paybill number and exactly what to enter as the account (usually the admission number), plus bank details.
- Term dates and calendar — opening, half-term, closing, exams, academic clinics and sports days.
- Contacts and location — office phone, WhatsApp, email, office hours, a map and directions.
15 features of a great school website
| Area | Features |
|---|---|
| Essentials | 1. Admissions page · 2. Fee structure · 3. Fee payment instructions · 4. Term calendar · 5. Contact and map |
| About the school | 6. History, mission, vision and core values · 7. Leadership and board · 8. Curriculum and pathways offered · 9. Facilities (labs, library, boarding, transport, sports) |
| School life | 10. News and events · 11. Photo gallery (with consent) · 12. Clubs, sports and achievements |
| Parents and staff | 13. Downloads: forms, uniform list, rules, circulars · 14. Parent portal or SMS alerts for fees and results · 15. Vacancies and tenders |
Explaining your curriculum clearly
Kenya's move from the 8-4-4 system to Competency-Based Education (CBE, previously called CBC) means many parents are still unsure what each level involves. Your website is a good place to explain, in simple words:
- Which levels you offer — pre-primary, primary, junior school (grades 7–9) or senior school — and any boarding or day options.
- Which senior school pathways and subject combinations are available, if relevant.
- How you assess learners and report progress to parents.
- Co-curricular activities and how they fit the curriculum.
Link to official Ministry of Education or KICD information for national details rather than rewriting policy yourself, and update the page when national guidance changes.
Taking fee payments online
There are two practical levels:
- Clear Paybill instructions on the website and fee statement: Paybill number, account format (for example the admission number), and a note to keep the M-Pesa message.
- An online payment form where the parent enters the admission number and phone number, gets an M-Pesa STK Push prompt, and the payment is recorded against the right student automatically, with an SMS receipt. See how M-Pesa website payments work.
Combined with Bulk SMS for fee balances and reminders, the second option can cut the bursar's reconciliation work dramatically.
Protecting children's data and photos
Under Kenya's Data Protection Act, 2019, processing a child's personal data requires the consent of a parent or guardian, and it must be done in the child's best interests. Photos of identifiable learners are personal data.
- Collect written consent for photos and videos at admission, with an easy way to withdraw it.
- Avoid publishing learners' full names with their photos, and never publish admission numbers, results or medical details publicly.
- Keep results, fee balances and reports behind a secure login.
- Publish a privacy policy that explains what the school collects and why. See our data protection checklist.
Which domain should a school use?
Primary and secondary schools in Kenya can register a .sc.ke domain, and universities and colleges use .ac.ke; both require proof of registration. They immediately tell parents the site is the school's official one. Read how to register a .ke domain.
Keeping the website up to date
An out-of-date fee structure or term date creates more confusion than having no website. Agree who updates what:
- Every term: calendar, fee structure, circulars, news and events.
- Every year: admissions information, leadership, results summaries, photos.
- As needed: vacancies, tenders, emergency notices.
Make sure the school, not an individual staff member or developer, owns the domain and the website accounts, so nothing is lost when people move on.
How Elvinsoft can help
We build school websites with admissions, fee structures, M-Pesa fee payments, calendars, galleries and parent SMS alerts — and train your office to update them. See Web Design and school systems, or ask for a quote.
Frequently asked questions
What domain should a Kenyan school use?
Primary and secondary schools can register a .sc.ke domain; universities and colleges use .ac.ke. Both require documents proving the institution is registered. A .co.ke or .com also works if you do not qualify.
Can parents pay school fees through the website?
Yes. The simplest option is clear Paybill instructions with the student's admission number as the account. A more advanced option is an M-Pesa STK Push form that records payments against each student automatically.
Can a school post photos of students online?
Under Kenya's Data Protection Act, 2019, processing children's personal data needs a parent's or guardian's consent. Collect written consent at admission and avoid naming children in photos.
How often should a school website be updated?
At least every term: fees, calendar, events and news. An out-of-date fee structure or term date causes more phone calls than having no website at all.
This guide is general information for Kenyan businesses, written by the Elvinsoft team and checked on 31 October 2026. Prices, rules and provider processes change; confirm the details that matter to you before you act.
