Aga Khan Higher Secondary School, Gilgit celebrates 25 years of academic excellence
The Aga Khan Higher Secondary School (AKHSS), Gilgit celebrated its 25th anniversary on Wednesday, 22 May in the presence of Princess Zahra Aga Khan and her son, Mr Iliyan Boyden.
Established in 1998, the school is one of 154 schools and six hostels across Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral and the south region of Pakistan managed by the Aga Education Service, Pakistan.
The celebration was also attended by representatives from the Aga Khan Development Network, Ismaili local, regional and national council leadership, students, and staff. It featured a tour of the school, a cake cutting and student and staff interactions with Princess Zahra and Mr Iliyan.
For over two decades, AKHSS, Gilgit has become an integral part of the community and the wider Gilgit-Baltistan region. The school provides quality education to boys in Grades 8-12 and girls from Grades 11-12 in a separate shift. Graduating students attend top-ranking universities across Pakistan, with alumni serving in sectors including, medicine, education, army, coaching, engineering, government and more.
The school offers the Aga Khan University Examination Board (AKU-EB), which is a certified, nationally recognised examination and education system based on the Pakistan National Curriculum. It emphasises concept-based learning and the application of knowledge in real-world situations.
Qualified and experienced teachers are part of the school’s community, with some furthering their knowledge and expertise with the Aga Khan University’s Institute for Educational Development (AKU-IED). At AKHSS, Gilgit, Jahangir Shah, a physical education teacher, has been at the school since it was established. He has seen the school and his own professional development grow over time.
“From the very beginning, our school has not only been a place of learning for students but also a nurturing ground for teachers,” Mr Jahangir said. “Over the past 25 years, the professional development programmes and collaborative environment have greatly enhanced my skills and teaching practices. I am proud to be part of this incredible journey.”
Following the celebrations at the school, the attendees visited the nearby Shah Karim Hostel, Gilgit for a tour and student interactions. The boys’ hostel, established in 1968, enables students from remote areas of Gilgit-Baltistan to access secondary and higher secondary education. It provides a safe and nurturing environment that aims to support the holistic development of its boarders.
“If there is a place I love more than my home in Yasin, it is the Shah Karim Hostel, Gilgit” said Grade 7 student Danish Karim. “This hostel has helped me discover my leadership potential and given me the courage to excel in sports, academics and beyond. The guidance and mentorship I receive from the hostel leads and the junior camaraderie here have been invaluable, turning strangers into family and every moment into a cherished memory."
Although over 25 years have passed since the Aga Khan Higher Secondary School, Gilgit’s establishment, the school is looking forward to continuing its commitment to academic excellence for the school and wider community. This can be seen with the school recently becoming a professional development hub, which will share its knowledge and expertise with local school leaders across Gilgit-Baltistan. This will strengthen the profession of teaching within the region and continue to improve the quality of education that is being delivered.
Photos (top to bottom):
- Princess Zahra, Mr Iliyan and guests commemorated the anniversary of the school through a cake cutting.
- Princess Zahra and Mr Iliyan were greeted with a bouquet of flowers upon their arrival to the school.
- Some students at the school gifted Princess Zahra with a card during the tour of the school.
- Princess Zahra toured the nearby Shah Karim Hostel, Gilgit, an all-boys hostel.
