"The Aga Khan Education Services, a philanthropic agency, will draw on its own extensive experience in many parts of the world to offer broad, holistic, early childhood education on a secular and non-denominational basis at the highest standards of excellence. The objective is to have a curriculum of proven calibre, taught by competent teachers, to help lay strong foundations for a child's continuing educational growth."
Prince Karim Aga Khan IV
The Ismaili Centre Dubai, December 2003
Located in Osh, Kyrgyz Republic and established in September 2002, the Aga Khan School (AKS), Osh was the first private school in the city. Construction of this purpose-built facility began in 2000, which commemorated the city’s 3000th-year anniversary. For over 20 years, AKS, Osh has offered students high-quality education. It challenges pupils to be intellectually inquisitive and socially conscious.
Several scholarships and needs-based discounts are presented to students from different districts of Osh Region to pursue a high-quality education at AKS, Osh annually.
Teachers at AKS, Osh enrich the National Curriculum for students through delivering an upgraded English language curriculum, science and mathematics curricula. The English language curriculum is aligned with the Common European Framework for Reference (CEFR). In addition to promoting Kyrgyz as the national language, the school recognises the importance of English as a global language and aims to equip students to use English to access opportunities locally, regionally and internationally. Additionally, the school places special emphasis on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) subjects through the curriculum. Currently, the school has established STEAM focused clubs for students, which have a strong focus on integrating all four disciplines through a cross-disciplinary approach.
Professional development opportunities for teachers aim to strengthen their knowledge and pedagogical skills and diversify their classroom practices, in order to maximise opportunities for students to explore, analyse, reflect and learn.
AKS, Osh aims to support students to become confident leaders so that they are able to contribute their knowledge to the development of their country. Annually, over 95% of the school’s graduates enter prestigious higher education institutions and universities in the Kyrgyz Republic and other Central Asian countries, Russia, the United States of America, Eastern and Western European countries, and China.
In alignment with the Aga Khan Development Network’s aim to become net zero carbon by 2030, AKS, Osh actively initiates eco-friendly practices at the school and beyond by sharing information and skills to local governmental schools. The relationship with government schools is further strengthened through collaboration on delivering environment-related events to share students’ knowledge and raise awareness.
AKS, Osh has recently undergone a comprehensive school renovation from 2022 to 2024 to improve the school facilities. This renovation project prioritised the maintenance of a safe, technology enabled and student-friendly environment while upholding the net zero carbon aim. Additionally, the school has installed a solar energy system as an auxiliary power source. The school is dedicated to pursuing more climate-resilient solutions and positioning itself as a role model for neighbouring schools by sharing its expertise for the betterment of the local environment.
In December 2024, AKS, Osh received the national title of “Best School of the Year”, which was awarded by the prestigious magazine “Jetigen,” an independent publication with a monthly circulation of 20,000 copies throughout the Kyrgyz Republic. The school was recognised for offering a secure and inclusive educational environment, demonstrating a robust dedication to academic success.
On 30 October 2002, the then-Governor of Osh Oblast, Naken Kasiev, inaugurated AKS, Osh in the presence of His Late Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV.
The school is part of the Aga Khan Education Services (AKES), which has a long tradition of leadership in education since 1905. The foundations of the present system were laid by Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan III, who established the first Aga Khan schools in Zanzibar (Tanzania), Gwadar (Pakistan) and Mundra (India).
AKES operates more than 190 schools, eight hostels and over 100 non-formal educational programme centres that provide quality non-formal, nursery, primary, secondary and higher secondary education to more than 100,000 students annually in Pakistan, India, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Madagascar.
AKS, Osh provides students with quality learning experiences in an environment which values diversity and responds creatively to the educational needs of students. For example, the school hosts an annual Day of People’s Friendship to honour and appreciate the diverse nationalities of the school.
Since the school’s first graduating class in 2007, all graduates have advanced to pursue higher education at local and international universities.
AKES schools strive to create a harmonious balance between academics, sporting and cultural activities and community life. AKS, Osh challenges its pupils to be intellectually curious and active citizens who demonstrate their commitment to their community by positively contributing to it. The school believes that while what students know is important, the true measure of a student's education is the ability to analyse what they do not know.
Accordingly, AKS, Osh applies a student-centred approach that allows students to reflect, articulate their ideas and make their own choices. In addition, the approach focuses on the concept of independent learning, giving students the opportunity and ability to apply their own understanding and make their own judgements based on the subject knowledge and learning experiences they have mastered. Developing critical thinking and analysis is at the core of the school's mission. Teaching staff encourage students to explore their interests, ask their own questions and learn to prove their hypothesis on the problems inquired. This focuses on developing students’ unique sense of creativity not just through artistic expression, but in how they learn new concepts and solve problems.
The technique promotes that teachers, instead of telling the child exactly what they have to do, should observe and facilitate through guiding questions, giving the pupil the space to learn and grow in his or her own way.
For the past decade, AKS, Osh has become an integral part of the city’s community, offering innovative educational approaches to both students and teachers. The school encourages students to master multiple languages, promotes the use of communication and information technology, as well as nurtures the love of sciences by conducting annual science fairs.
Since 2012, the school has been offering initiatives to nurture a love of environment in its students. As part of this, the school established an Eco Club for students to collaborate on research and propose environmental protection initiatives and climate change awareness events. An exceptional example of the club’s activities includes an ongoing collaboration with government schools in Osh, which was presented at the Schools2030 Global Forum in June 2024 in Kyrgyz Republic. The Forum brought together over 200 delegates from key educational institutions from more than 30 countries.
The school also promotes pluralism by supporting its students to respect and appreciate other peoples’ cultures, social structures, values and beliefs. Taken together, these objectives are designed to help equip children with the tools they will need to make their way in school, society and an increasingly interdependent world.
The core principles that guide us in this pursuit are:
Every year, AKS, Osh offers quality education to 500+ students. In 2023, the school introduced a primary section, providing enrolment for over 120 students. Today, it serves students aged 7-17, spanning Grades 1-11. The school also employs five primary teachers and over 40 lower and higher secondary teachers, offering diverse learning opportunities for students.
Generally, each of the two mediums of instruction has different second language subject options, as follows:
Vision
To become a nationally recognised model science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) school in terms of educational achievement, ensuring that our graduates are prepared to be competitive in and contribute to local, regional and global society.
Mission
To provide high quality learning opportunities so that students are equipped with the relevant knowledge, skills, attitudes and values to meet the intellectual, physical and socio-emotional demands of the 21st century.
Aga Khan School, Osh
School Director Natalya Deryabkina
93 Kurmanjan Datka Street, Osh City, 723510
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Phone: +996 322 248 215
© Aga Khan Schools 2009 - All rights reserved
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The Aga Khan Schools are part of the Aga Khan Education Services,
an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network
© Aga Khan Schools 2009 - All rights reserved | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy
The Aga Khan Schools are part of the Aga Khan Education Services,
an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network
