CCTV for schools: how many cameras you need and where to put them
A typical school needs about 7 CCTV cameras — 4 to cover the essentials (main gate, admin / reception, classroom corridors), up to 10 for complete coverage. Below is a placement map, the right camera type for each spot, a 8-channel recorder with 2 TB of storage and a complete kit with prices in Kenya.
Where to place CCTV cameras in a school
Recommended plan for a medium-sized school — 7 cameras. Numbers match the table below.
| # | Area | Camera | Qty | Why it goes here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Main gateEssential | Zoom bullet | 1 | Records every pupil, parent, visitor and vehicle entering — the most important camera in a school. |
| 2 | Admin / receptionEssential | Eyeball | 1 | Identifies visitors signing in at the office. |
| 3 | Classroom corridorsEssential | Bullet | 2 | One camera along each classroom block covers doors and walkways. |
| 4 | Playground / field | Zoom bullet | 2 | Watches the open grounds where most incidents between pupils happen. |
| 5 | Dining hall | Fisheye | 1 | Covers the whole hall at meal times from one ceiling point. |
Which cameras to use
Varifocal (zoom) bullet camera
Outdoor camera with an adjustable zoom lens, so it can be set to see far or wide after installation.
Best for: Gates, long driveways, forecourts and reading number plates.
Eyeball (turret) camera
Compact 4MP camera with a wide 2.8 mm lens and infrared night vision. Easy to aim, no glare from the dome cover.
Best for: Entrances, receptions and doors — anywhere you need clear faces.
Bullet camera
Weatherproof outdoor camera. Its visible shape is a deterrent on its own.
Best for: Outside walls, yards, perimeters and loading areas.
360° fisheye camera
Mounted on the ceiling, one fisheye camera sees the whole room with no blind spots.
Best for: Open shop floors, halls, open-plan offices and dining areas.
Recorder, storage and cabling
For 7 cameras use a 8-channel PoE NVR (it powers the cameras through the network cable) with a 2 TB surveillance hard drive — about 14 days of continuous 4MP recording. Allow roughly 270 m of Cat6 cable, and a UPS so the system keeps recording during power cuts.
Complete kit & prices
- Dahua IPC-HFW5442E-ZE 4MP IR Vari-focal Bullet Network Camera × 5 KSh 80,000
- Dahua IPC-HDW5442TM-ASE 4MP WizMind IR Eyeball Network Camera × 1 KSh 12,000
- Dahua IPC-EW5541-AS 5MP WizMind IR Fisheye Network Camera × 1 KSh 25,000
- Dahua NVR5216-16P-EI 16-Channel 2HDD PoE Network Video Recorder × 1 KSh 45,000
- 2 TB surveillance hard drive (quoted) × 1 —
- Cat6 Outdoor Ethernet Cable × 1 KSh 10,000
- UPS backup power (1 kVA) (quoted) × 1 —
In-stock equipment: KSh 172,000+ 2 TB surveillance hard drive, UPS backup power (1 kVA) (quoted)
Adjust to your school & add to cartFrequently asked questions
How many CCTV cameras does a school need?
Start with the main gate, the admin office and one camera per classroom block, then add the playground, dining hall and perimeter. A day school with two blocks typically needs 6 to 10 cameras.
Can cameras be placed inside classrooms?
Many schools limit cameras to gates, corridors and common areas. If you add cameras in classrooms, inform parents and staff and follow the Data Protection Act, 2019.
What recorder and storage does a school CCTV system need?
For about 7 cameras, a 8-channel PoE network video recorder (NVR) with a 2 TB surveillance hard drive keeps roughly 14 days of continuous 4MP footage.
Can Kefa Solutions install CCTV for my school?
Yes. Kefa Solutions technicians survey the site, recommend camera positions, install and configure the system, and set up viewing on your phone. Use the CCTV planner to send your plan and request a call back.