In 2000, the Aga Khan Development Network initiated the establishment of an integrated network of schools, which was named the Aga Khan Academy, enabling students to access education of international standards.
Today, young students are provided with education from pre-primary to higher secondary levels, and multiple academies have been established in various countries across Africa, South and Central Asia, and the Middle East.
The first Aga Khan Academy was established in the city of Mombasa, Kenya, in 2003, the second started in the Indian city of Hyderabad in 2011, the third academy was established in the city of Maputo, Mozambique, in 2013, and the fourth was launched in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, three years ago in 2022. The AKDN states that over 1,327 students have graduated under the Aga Khan Academy, and between 2016 and 2022, the total value of scholarships awarded to students of the Aga Khan Academy reached 76 million dollars.
In addition to these institutions, AKDN has also initiated early childhood development, vocational training centers, and adult education programs, providing access to education for individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Through its various educational institutions, the Aga Khan Development Network has had a significant impact on the lives of millions of people worldwide, providing access to quality education and promoting socio-economic development.
Prince Rahim Aga Khan’s commitment to education is a testament to his strong belief in the power of knowledge to transform lives and societies. His work in this field will be valued and recognized both in the present and in the future.
The Aga Khan Development Network states that Aga Khan Schools consist of 200 schools, more than 100 informal educational centers, and 7 hostels. With the support of 6,400 teachers and staff, we educate more than 96,000 students each year, ranging from 18 months to adulthood. We work in 12 countries across East Africa, South and Central Asia, and the Middle East. Aga Khan Schools are a combination of the Aga Khan Education Services (AKES) and the Aga Khan Academies (AKA). Aga Khan Education Services is a non-profit institution that is part of the largest private, non-discriminatory pre-tertiary educational network, regardless of color, race, or religion. Each year, more than 2,300 students graduate from Aga Khan Schools, and 99% of the staff at these institutions come from the same country where the institutions are located.
In June 2022, new state-of-the-art buildings were added to three Aga Khan Schools campuses in the remote mountainous region of Chitral. The Aga Khan Development Network states that:
“This expansion will not only increase students’ access to education from surrounding towns and distant villages but will also provide young students with a better standard of learning, which is considered essential for achieving excellence in various academic fields in the 21st century.”
The AKDN states, “The Aga Khan Schools in Mastuj, Booni, and Torkhow are part of 150 Aga Khan Schools working in Pakistan, where a total of 50,000 students are enrolled. The three newly expanded campuses in Chitral will accommodate more than 1,500 students in one shift, with more than 50 modern and spacious classrooms, 11 science and computer laboratories, 3 libraries, offices, and other facilities being constructed.”
These educational institutions are preparing children from underprivileged regions, who lack knowledge and awareness, to become successful individuals capable of facing the challenges of their present and future lives. This is nothing short of a miracle and a recipe for success for developing countries, especially Pakistan, which is a country with a backward education sector.
Notably, the expansion of Aga Khan Schools in Chitral is a testament to the unwavering commitment of the Aga Khan Development Network to providing quality education in some of the most remote and underserved regions in Pakistan.
By introducing modern classrooms, advanced science and computer labs, and well-equipped libraries, these institutions are not only enhancing academic opportunities but also fostering critical thinking, innovation, and a lifelong passion for learning.
The inclusion of state-of-the-art facilities ensures that students receive an education that is on par with global standards, giving them the skills and confidence needed to excel in an increasingly competitive world.
Beyond academics, this initiative plays a crucial role in bridging socio-economic gaps by empowering students with the knowledge and tools necessary to uplift their communities. Access to quality education in regions like Mastuj, Booni, and Torkhow opens doors to new career opportunities, breaking the cycle of poverty and enabling a brighter future for generations to come. By nurturing young minds with excellence in education, the Aga Khan Schools are not just building institutions—they are shaping the future of Pakistan by cultivating a generation of leaders, thinkers, and changemakers.
