The two schools, Aga Khan Higher Secondary School, Gupis, and Aga Khan Higher Secondary School, Yasin, will have a combined capacity for almost 1,200+ students in single shift. This will greatly improve educational opportunities in the area, not only for the 11,000+ students who are currently studying in more than 40 Aga Khan High schools in the region, but also those studying in other schools.
The Aga Khan Higher Secondary Schools Gupis and Yasin have been designed keeping in view the changing landscape of education, with a focus on encouraging inquiry, experimentation, and innovation in the students. In addition to spacious classrooms and internet connectivity, the schools have separate laboratories for Physics, Chemistry and Biology, libraries, discussion and conference rooms, and sports facilities.
The Minister for Education for Gilgit-Baltistan, Raja Muhammad Azam Khan, was the chief guest at the ground breaking ceremony, while the Deputy Speaker of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly, Nazir Ahmad, and President Ismaili Council for Pakistan, Hafiz Sherali, were the guests of honour. In addition, Chairperson of the Aga Khan Board for Education, Zahra Ladhani, CEO AKES,P, Imtiaz Momin, the General Manager for Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral, Brigadier (retd.) Khush Muhammad, and notables from the local community, were also present.
On this occasion, Minister Azam Khan lauded the contributions of the Aga Khan Education Service in promoting accessible and quality education. He further said that the new schools promise a brighter future for the young people of the region. President Hafiz Sherali expressed the hope that students from these schools will qualify for top-ranking national and international colleges and universities, and become change agents in their communities.
The land for the schools, 60 kanals for AKHSS Yasin and 25 kanals for AKHSS Gupis, has been donated by the local communities. The seismic-resistant buildings will incorporate elements of green design focused on working with the local environment and terrain, and geared towards sustainability and longevity. It will offer an alternative approach to learning through technologically advanced and experiential spaces. The total covered area for the two schools will be more than 60,000 square feet accommodating smart classrooms, e-library, multipurpose halls, auxiliary spaces, enclosed corridors with incidental and interactive learning spaces.
