Aga Khan School, Osh celebrates 20 years of academic excellence
Established in 2002, the school was inaugurated by His Highness the Aga Khan, the founder and
chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), and Naken Kasiev, the then-governor of Osh
City. It was the city’s first private school, enrolling just 98 students in the beginning. Now, 20 years later,
the school has grown to include nearly 500 students, providing each student with quality learning
experiences.
The ceremony took place at the school’s freshly renovated campus in the south of the Kyrgyz Republic. It was attended by Mayor of Osh City Mr Jetigenov Bakitbek Jenishbekovich; education expert of the Presidential Administration of the Kyrgyz Republic Mr Meder Omurbekov; Head of Social Sector Development of the Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic in Osh Region Mrs Rahmanova Aida Aziretovna; and AKDN Diplomatic Resident Representative for the Kyrgyz Republic His Excellency Dr Barkat Fazal. Close to 100 guests were in attendance, including government officials, representatives of AKDN agencies in the Kyrgyz Republic, attendees from partner government and private schools, staff, alumni, students, and parents.
“For 20 years, the Aga Khan School has also contributed to the development of the education sector of our country, successfully overcoming all difficulties in educating the youth who are our future," said Mr Jetigenov Bakitbek Jenishbekovich. "In the education sector of Osh city, the Aga Khan School is not only a model school, but also a centre of education that is contributing to the development of the educated youth for the country. I am confident that in the future, this school will raise and produce outstanding young people who will contribute to the development of our country.”
The celebration included speeches, student performances, an awards ceremony recognising long-serving staff and a film viewing showcasing the school’s journey over the last 20 years. Following the ceremony, guests and parents were invited for a tour of the school and to view an exhibition displaying students’ projects on recycling, the solar system, 3-D printing and more.
“When the Kyrgyz Republic invited the Aga Khan Development Network to share our experiences and collaborate to advance inclusive sustainable development in this country, education was one of two priorities…particularly encouraging is that this school was one of the first major investments made by the AKDN towards this commitment,” said AKDN Diplomatic Resident Representative for the Kyrgyz Republic His Excellency Dr Barkat Fazal. "It has been nurturing young minds, guiding them toward successful higher education and careers, and instilling in them a sense of civic responsibility to their communities and country. As such, it has stimulated hope, opportunity and ensuring that academic pursuits are embedded in the cultural heritage, values and ethics of this country and its peoples.”
Since its establishment, the school has been an integral part of the city offering innovative education approaches to both its students and teachers. In addition to offering the Kyrgyz Republic State curriculum, the school’s curriculum focuses on approaches that foster engagement and critical thinking skills, while also developing creativity and problem-solving abilities. The school also promotes the use of information and communications technology (ICT), and nurtures a love of the sciences through science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) disciplines.
“The school aims to provide high-quality learning opportunities, so students are equipped with the relevant knowledge, skills, attitudes and values to meet the intellectual, physical and socio-emotional demands of the 21st century,” School Director Natalia Deryabkina said. “Our ability to do this effectively and successfully has been made possible by our partnership with the Ministry of Education and Science of Kyrgyz Republic, the Education Department of Osh City of Kyrgyz Republic, Osh State Pedagogical University, Aga Khan Development Network agencies and Lingua-Innovative Education Foundation supported by the US Embassy in Bishkek.”
One hundred percent of alumni have graduated from the school and progressed to higher education. Most graduates receive admission offers to prestigious universities in the Kyrgyz Republic and other countries including those in Central Asia, Russia, the United States of America, Eastern and Western Europe, and China.
Although two decades have passed, the school aims to continue its commitment to academic excellence. This includes renovating the school to provide modern facilities and classrooms, in addition to starting a primary section planned for this academic year offering Kyrgyz and Russian language mediums. The school is also cognisant of the impacts of climate change and global warming and will be installing solar panels for the school’s lighting and water heating to meet the school’s commitment in becoming net zero carbon by 2030.
Photo captions (top to bottom):
- Mayor of Osh City Mr Jetigenov Bakitbek Jenishbekovich interacting with students and their projects
- Students performing traditional Kyrgyz dance
- Long-serving staff of AKS, Osh receiving awards for their dedication to the school
