The Aga Khan School (AKS) in Osh, now in its third decade, provides over 550 students with quality learning experiences. It offers scholarships and needs-based discounts.

Managed by the Aga Khan Education Services, the school environment values diversity and responds creatively to students’ educational needs. It challenges pupils to be intellectually inquisitive and socially conscious, and supports students to become confident leaders who can contribute to their country.

The English language curriculum is aligned with the Common European Framework for Reference, helping students access opportunities locally and internationally. The school emphasises science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) subjects, with cross-disciplinary STEAM clubs.

Annually, over 95 percent of the school’s graduates enter prestigious higher education institutions and universities in Central Asia, Russia, the USA, Europe and China.

Professional development opportunities enable teachers to strengthen their knowledge and pedagogical skills and diversify their classroom practices.

AKS, Osh’s recent renovation includes the installation of a solar energy system as an auxiliary power source. One of the School’s environmental initiatives is an Eco Club for students to cooperate on research and propose environmental protection solutions and climate change awareness events. The club collaborates with local government schools in Osh.

In 2024, AKS, Osh received the national title of “Best School of the Year” from Jetigen magazine. The school was recognised for offering a secure and inclusive educational environment, demonstrating a robust dedication to academic success.

Aga Khan Foundation

Schools2030

AKF is leading Schools2030, a global 10-year participatory action research and learning improvement programme based in 1,000 government schools across 10 countries, including the Kyrgyz Republic. Using the principles of human-centred design and focusing on the key transition years of ages five, 10 and 15, Schools2030 seeks to annually generate 1,000 locally rooted education solutions that can inform and transform systems-level approaches for improving holistic learning outcomes for all learners. The initiative also includes early childhood development through a pre-primary cohort and interventions to equip young people with employable skills. Find out more

AKF is working to increase parents' voice and agency in the development of their schools by:

• building the capacity of school boards of trustees;


• using social accountability tools to allow parents to assess the performance of their schools against national education standards, and to develop and implement solutions together with the school administration; and


• supporting school budget transparency.

The 2024 Schools2030 Global Forum was held in the Kyrgyz Republic, convening over 200 delegates from more than 30 countries. Here, Schools2030 collaborates with 30 preschools and 70 schools across four regions, reaching approximately 95,000 students aged five, 10 and 15. Through targeted interventions, the programme strengthens the capacity of teachers and school leaders, equipping them with innovative tools and methodologies. Educators take part in HCD workshops, while 15-year-old students actively contribute to the design process, helping to shape improvements in their learning environments.

Education for Stability

The Education for Stability project aims to address the causes of border conflicts in cross-border communities by tackling key education challenges in six schools. It is renovating schools and kindergartens, training educators on skills including conflict resolution and peacebuilding, helping students generate gender-sensitive local solutions to support social cohesion issues and offering training and opportunities through AKF’s Youth Entrepreneurship and Employable Skills programme.

The University of Central Asia (UCA) was established to promote the social and economic development of Central Asia, particularly its mountain communities. It offers an internationally recognised standard of higher education, helping people of the region to preserve and draw upon their rich cultural traditions as assets for the future.

The Presidents of the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan, and His Late Highness Aga Khan IV, signed the International Treaty and Charter establishing this secular, private, not-for-profit university. It was ratified by the respective parliaments and registered with the United Nations.

University of Central Asia Campus in Naryn

The University of Central Asia’s (UCA) first campus opened in Naryn, Kyrgyzstan, in 2016. The second campus opened in Khorog, Tajikistan, in 2017. The third campus in Tekeli, Kazakhstan, is in the planning stage. Undergraduate students interested in majoring in Computer Science or Communications and Media can enrol in the campus in Naryn.

Continuing Education

UCA’s School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE) remains a leading provider of post-secondary, short-cycle continuing education in Central Asia and Afghanistan. Certificate programmes are offered in 17 learning centres across Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Afghanistan. SPCE staff offer young learners, teenagers and adults professional and vocational qualifications in a flexible format that boosts skills development and improves qualifications for employment, job creation and educational mobility.

The Naryn Centre for Entrepreneurship (NCE), established in 2021 by SPCE Naryn, serves as a hub for fostering entrepreneurial skills and business development in the region. Through intensive training, business incubation, and mentorship programmes, NCE empowers local communities – particularly young people – to develop sustainable enterprises and contribute to the region's economic growth. Since its inception, NCE has trained over 580 learners, 72 percent of them female.

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