About the Aga Khan Education Services

The symbol of the Aga Khan Education Services is based on the form of an open book containing a double image of the word IQRA (to read) from the first revelation of Allah to Prophet Muhammad (Sura 96 : Verses 1-5 of the Holy Quran).

About the Aga Khan Education Services

The Aga Khan Education Service (AKES) was created by Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan, the current Aga Khan's predecessor and grandfather. Aga Khan Schools were first established as early as 1905. These included a handful of community-based literacy classes in remote rural areas of South East Asia which were strikingly progressive for their time. They put emphasis on accessibility for all communities regardless of socioeconomic status, teaching both girls and boys, and stressing the importance of equitable early childhood education.

Today, the Aga Khan Education Services is one of the largest private, not-for-profit, non-denominational educational networks in the developing world. AKES currently operates over 200 pre-primary, primary, secondary, and higher-secondary schools and programmes in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Uganda and the United Arab Emirates. Programmes include affiliation with rigorous national curricula and international curricula such as the International Baccalaureate, Cambridge International Education and the Aga Khan University-Examination Board (AKU-EB) programmes. The schools have been an exemplar of progressive education in the regions within which they operate, with a continued emphasis on child-centered learning, teacher training and education for girls. AKES has been a leader in these areas for over a hundred years.

Our goal is to provide quality education that prepares students to thrive personally and professionally. Our programmes embody AKES’ commitment to service, not just in the school, but to the neighbouring community and beyond.

Our extensive reach, progressive programmes and emphasis on inclusivity create a positive, permanent impact on the students, teachers, parents, alumni, and communities we serve.

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Aga Khan Development Network

AKES is a part of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of private, international, non-denominational agencies working to improve living conditions and opportunities for people in the developing world. The Network's organisations have varying individual mandates ranging from health and education to architecture, rural development and the promotion of private-sector enterprise.

The AKDN was founded by His Highness the Aga Khan, the 49th hereditary Imam of Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims. For the Aga Khan, one manifestation of his hereditary responsibilities as spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslim community has been a deep and renowned engagement with education and international development.

Together the AKDN agencies work towards a common goal - to build institutions and programmes that can respond to the challenges of social, economic and cultural change.

Aga Khan Schools Curriculum

Every Aga Khan School complies with local curriculum requirements, however AKES enriches its curricula by affiliating with rigorous national and international examination boards.

For example, schools in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Bangladesh offer international curricula including the British Cambridge International Education and International Baccalaureate programmes. In Pakistan, increasing numbers of AKES schools have affiliated with Aga Khan University Examination Board (AKU-EB), and are engaged in exams that focus on conceptual learning and the application of knowledge in real world situations.

Every school strives to create an environment that prioritises an approach to learning that is relevant to student’s future and current needs. Interactive education models encourage students to ask questions, pursue independent lines of inquiry and develop interest and expertise in a broad range of subjects.

Co-curricular subjects in the arts, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and sports further enrich the learning experience. Extra-curricular activities like after-school and student clubs and community service programmes, also play an important part in extending learning beyond the classroom. These programs equip students with essential skills that cannot be measured with a grade. Self-esteem, self-confidence, the importance of teamwork and cooperation are all qualities that are important in the development of ethical frameworks and dispositions to service that are part of the education of an AKES student.