The Aga Khan Approach
The Aga Khan Schools strive to create a harmonious balance between academic demands, sporting and cultural activities and community life. It challenges its pupils to be intellectually inquisitive and socially conscious. 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.

Developing critical thinking and analysis is therefore at the core of the School’s mission. The School also encourages students to respect and appreciate other people’s 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.

School History
Established in 1993, the Aga Khan Primary School was the first non-government English-medium primary school in post-nationalised Tanzania. The school building was originally the Aga Khan Girls Hostel (built in 1967).

The School began with 400 students studying across Grades 1 to 4. The following year, enrolment rose to 700 with the inclusion of Grades 5 - 7. In response to increasing demand, the Aga Khan Education Service, Tanzania embarked on an expansion programme.

In 1998, the multi-purpose hall was completed. By 2000, a modern library, computer laboratory and an additional wing with 10 classrooms were introduced. This led to an increase in 2001, with enrolment raised to 980 pupils with 140 pupils in each grade.

The school is in the process of reducing its enrolment figures to ensure class sizes are adjusted as part of its preparation for converting the Aga Khan Schools in Dar es Salaam into an academic centre of excellence.

The School is part of the Aga Khan Education Services (AKES). AKES has a long tradition of leadership in educational development. The foundations of the present system were laid by Sir Sultan Mohamed Shah, Aga Khan III, under whose guidance over 200 schools were established during the first half of the 20th century, the first of them in 1905 in Zanzibar, Gwadur in Pakistan and Mundra in India. Since the creation of Aga Khan Education Service companies in the 1970s, the schools have been centrally administered and managed.

AKES currently operates more than 300 schools and advanced educational programmes that provide quality pre-school, primary, secondary and higher secondary education services to more than 54,000 students in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic, Uganda, Tanzania and Tajikistan. Schools are also envisaged, or under development, in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique and Syria.

School Population
The Aga Khan Primary School, Dar es Salaam has a student population of 922, 46 percent of whom are females. English is the medium of instruction. The School has been granted the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB-PYP) School Candidate Status. The Headmaster, two Deputy head teachers, 55 teachers, 33 administration and support staff manage the School.

School Timings
Grades 1 - 2: 7:25am - 1:15pm
Grades 3 - 6: 7:25am - 2:00pm

Parent Teacher meetings
Every semester, the School faculty keep parents posted on their child’s school performance. During formal parent-teacher interviews, class teachers update parents on their child’s academic progress, discipline, attendance and school participation. These meetings are held every Friday between 12.30 to 1.30pm. It is supplemented by a written interim for students which is given out at the end of both Semesters.

The School functions in a friendly environment that supports and encourages an on-going partnership among the School, parents and management.

Parents assist by reviewing the School’s progress through Parent Teacher Meetings (PTMs) and supporting the school’s various activities and initiatives, for example, organizing social events for students.

The School’s orientation programmes give parents and students an opportunity to interact, give feedback and exchange ideas with School management. Parents are encouraged to be involved in their child’s social and emotional development. Our focus lies in developing parents as critical partners, actively contributing to the effective functioning of the School.