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The Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School

Tanzania, Dar es Salaam

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The school at a glance
Fees TZS 200 - 2,275,000
Ages 11 - 16 years
Pupil numbers 722
Type Co-educational
Opened 1967
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP)
Taught languages English, French, Swahili
Typical class size 30
Strengths STEM, Languages, Sport
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Middle School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

The Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School is a private secondary school in Tanzania affiliated with Aga Khan Education Services, Tanzania (AKES,T). It offers two curricula: the Tanzania NECTA and an international pathway—the Middle School Programme (Year 7–9) leading to IGCSE (Year 10–11) and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (Year 12–13). Students are aged 11 to 16 in Lower and Upper School. The school has a long history as Tanzania's first private secondary school established after the Arusha Declaration (1967). AKES,T has introduced inquiry-based learning and IT integration here. Facilities include 24 classrooms, a dedicated music room, a geography/business studies room with an interactive whiteboard, six science laboratories, a well-stocked library, two ICT rooms, and an audio-visual suite. Outdoor courts for volleyball and basketball, plus a hall for badminton and gymnastics, support sport and wellbeing.

The Essentials

The Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School has 722 pupils, typical class sizes of 30.

Location
The Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School is located in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Campus address: Plot No 955, Fire Station Road, West Upanga, Dar Es Salaam. Mailing address: P.O. Box 21563, Fire Road Upanga, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.

Stages
Lower School is Years 7-9 and Forms 1-2; Upper School is Years 10-13 and Forms 3-6.

Type
Private secondary school.

Country affiliation
Aga Khan Education Services, Tanzania (AKES,T)

School day structure
Monday to Thursday: 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 12:35 p.m.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Day school

Uniform Requirement
Uniforms: Year 7–11 (Form 1–4): Boys wear a white short-sleeved cotton shirt with khaki shorts or trousers, plain black belt, white socks and black formal shoes; Girls wear a white short-sleeved cotton shirt with a green skirt or trousers in official material, a green long-sleeved kameez, white shalwar trousers, white socks and black formal shoes. Year 12–13 (Form 5–6): Boys wear a white short-sleeved shirt with grey trousers and black belt, white socks and black formal shoes; Girls wear a white short-sleeved shirt with grey skirt or trousers and a grey long-sleeved kameez with white shalwar trousers. Sports wear includes plain navy shorts or track bottoms and T-shirts in the colour of the student's House with plain black or white sports shoes. A school badge must be sewn on to all shirts/tops. Girls wearing a headscarf must wear it neatly tied and plain white. Uniforms can be purchased from Seifi Stores – Toto Junction.

House System
There is a house system; sports wear uses house colours (T-shirts in the colour of the House).

Governance and Ownership
Private, non-profit, non-denominational, co-educational, day school; part of Aga Khan Education Services (AKES,T) within the Aga Khan Schools network (AKS), under the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).
Fees

Annual tuition at The Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School ranges from TZS 200 to TZS 2,275,000 for 2026/27.

Application / Admission fees

- One-time admission fee for new students on the International curriculum: USD 500. A refundable caution deposit of USD 200 is payable on admission; the caution deposit is refunded when the student leaves the school provided all outstanding fees and fines have been settled.

- One-time admission fee for new students on the NECTA (national) curriculum: TZS 250,000; caution fee TZS 200,000 (total TZS 450,000) payable on application/acceptance. A Good Faith deposit for Secondary Forms 1–4 is TZS 500,000 and must be paid when the application form is returned.

Tuition fees (per academic year and instalments)

- International curriculum (amounts shown as annual fee followed by instalment amounts in the order of the listed due dates: 1 August 2025; 11 December 2025; 1 April 2026):
- Grades 7–9: Annual tuition USD 5,470 — instalments: USD 1,790; USD 1,890; USD 1,790.
- Grade 10: Annual tuition USD 5,795 — instalment amounts shown as USD 2,845 and USD 2,950 (tuition for Grade 10 is payable in two terms).
- Grade 11 (DP1): Annual tuition USD 12,600 — instalments: USD 4,200; USD 4,200; USD 4,200.
- Grade 12 (DP2): Annual tuition USD 12,600 — instalments: USD 6,300; USD 6,300 (tuition for DP2 is payable in two terms). Note: charges for final external examinations will be invoiced separately where applicable.

- NECTA curriculum (amounts shown in Tanzanian Shillings, per academic year for the 2025 academic year):
- Form 1: School fees TZS 1,755,000; Maintenance fees TZS 500,000; Tahosa TZS 10,000; Diary TZS 10,000.
- Form 2: School fees TZS 1,575,000; Maintenance fees TZS 500,000; Tahosa TZS 10,000; Diary TZS 10,000.
- Form 3: School fees TZS 1,575,000; Maintenance fees TZS 500,000; Tahosa TZS 10,000; Diary TZS 10,000.
- Form 4: School fees TZS 1,575,000; Maintenance fees TZS 500,000; Tahosa TZS 15,000; Diary TZS 10,000. NECTA examination fees are listed (examples shown as TZS 10,000 and TZS 50,000 for applicable classes).

Billing schedule and payment terms

- International curriculum payment schedule (due dates shown): 1 August 2025; 11 December 2025; 1 April 2026. Instalment amounts are shown in the tuition schedule; Grades 7–9 and Grade 11 (DP1) are shown payable in three instalments on those dates; Grade 10 and Grade 12 (DP2) are shown payable in two instalments. An annual maintenance cost of USD 300 is charged once per academic year and is payable with the first-term tuition fees.

- NECTA curriculum payment dates for the 2025 academic year: 1st payment 11 December 2024; 2nd payment 2 April 2025; 3rd payment 5 July 2025. Examination classes (Form 4) have annual fees payable in two instalments.

- Sibling discount: A 5% discount on annual tuition fees applies for the second child and beyond (shared learning/sibling discount).

Boarding fees

- No boarding fees are listed and boarding facilities are not advertised for Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School; the school's facilities and practical information describe day-school facilities and timetables only. No boarding fees apply.

Other costs and recurring charges

- Annual maintenance fee (International curriculum): USD 300, charged with first-term tuition and payable once per academic year.

- NECTA-specific additional items (per academic year): Tahosa and Diary fees as listed above; NECTA examination fees where applicable.

- Uniforms: Standard uniform lists are specified by year groups (items for boys and girls and sportswear). Uniforms can be purchased from Seifi Stores - Toto Junction. Specific uniform pricing is not listed.

Refunds and withdrawal terms

- Refund eligibility: Students registered and who have paid fees for the current academic year who choose not to attend must provide written notice at least one term in advance to be eligible for a tuition refund. Refunds apply only to tuition fees and will be issued via cheque or bank transfer; transfer costs are borne by the recipient. Fees for the current term are non-refundable if a student withdraws after the term has begun. To withdraw from the following term, written notice must be submitted at least four calendar weeks before the current term ends; failure to provide timely notice will result in tuition fees for the next term being non-refundable. Admission fees and annual maintenance fees are strictly non-refundable.

Fee payment options and instructions

- Cash is not accepted. Accepted payment methods include bank deposits, mobile money, and the Duka Direct app. Card payments can be made in person at the school using Point of Sale (POS) machines at reception and the finance office. Parents must include the student identity number in all payments to ensure correct crediting. For payment queries contact the finance department at finance@akest.org.
Academics

The Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School teaches Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP) for students aged 11 to 16.

Curriculum
Two curricula are offered: the Tanzania national curriculum (NECTA) and the International curriculum (Middle School Programme, IGCSE and IBDP). NECTA runs from Form 1 to 6. Lower School is Years 7–9; Upper School is Years 10–13. The International curriculum covers Middle School Programme from Year 7 to 9, leading to IGCSE in Year 10–11, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in Year 12–13.

Higher Education Progression
A qualified career counsellor provides guidance on higher education and scholarships from institutions around the world, and information on career options; university placement is a focus.

Gifted and Talented
There is flexibility in academic levels within each year group to differentiate for individual abilities and potential.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School focuses on developing knowledgeable, responsible and articulate global citizens. It provides Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) opportunities and leadership roles to foster social responsibility. As an IB school, it adheres to open-minded, principled and knowledgeable values. There is a warm, caring environment supported by pastoral care and a career counsellor who guides students on higher education and scholarship opportunities.

Mental Wellbeing
Pastoral care is provided, with a Head of Pastoral Care overseeing support. College Guidance Counsellor and School Counsellor staff offer personal and academic guidance to students.
Parent Experience

History
The Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School was the first private secondary school to be established in Tanzania after the Arusha Declaration in 1967. The origins of the Aga Khan schools in Tanzania go back to the 19th century when a girls' school was started by the Ismaili community in Zanzibar, and by 1954 there were over 50 schools nationwide. Although initially mainly patronized by Ismailis, the schools opened to people of all races and faiths. The School was built in 1967 in response to the closure of the schools; it was the first private secondary school to be established in Tanzania after the Arusha Declaration. Since the 1980s, AKES,T has been at the forefront of educational innovation in Dar es Salaam, introducing inquiry-based learning methodologies and IT integration; in 1993 the Aga Khan Primary School in Dar es Salaam opened as the first English-medium primary school for local students.

Community
Regardless of curriculum, students have access to the full range of facilities and resources, and a qualified career counsellor provides guidance on higher education and scholarships. The school promotes participation in sports, community service, creativity and action across the school through the CAS programme and leadership positions within school. As an IB school, it lives by values of open-mindedness, principled and knowledgeable; teachers encourage students to be inquirers and thinkers, and to take risks to become resourceful and resilient. The community and guardians are encouraged to be reflective and to engage as partners in the organisation's betterment.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School has 24 spacious classrooms, including a dedicated music room and a geography/business studies room equipped with a state-of-the-art interactive whiteboard. The school provides six large laboratories (two each for physics, chemistry and biology). It also houses a well-stocked library with up-to-date reference books, a large and popular collection of fiction, subscriptions to periodicals and newspapers, and Internet-connected computers available to students during breaks and after school. Two modern computer rooms support ICT teaching, and an audio-visual room enables presentations and videos. Outside there are volleyball and basketball courts, and the school hall accommodates badminton, table tennis and gymnastics.

Sports Facilities
Outside volleyball and basketball courts, and a school hall equipped for badminton, table tennis and gymnastics.

Academic Facilities
There are 24 classrooms including a dedicated music room and a geography/business studies room with a state-of-the-art interactive whiteboard. The school has six laboratories (two each for physics, chemistry and biology) with regular practical work. A well-stocked library holds up-to-date reference books, fiction and access to periodicals and daily newspapers; Internet-connected computers are available in the library for student use during breaks and after school, with IB and A-level students having access during free study periods. Two modern computer rooms support ICT teaching, and an audio-visual room is available for presentations and video viewing.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The school focuses on participation in sports, community service, creativity and action across the school.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School offers two curricula: the Tanzania national curriculum (NECTA) and an international curriculum that includes the Middle School Programme (years 7–9) leading to IGCSE (years 10–11) and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) (years 12–13). The international curriculum follows the IB philosophy of developing well‑rounded learners in academics and spiritual wisdom. Regardless of curriculum, students have access to the full range of facilities and resources in and out of the classroom. A qualified career counsellor provides guidance on higher education, scholarships from institutions around the world, and career options.

Arts & Creative
Expressive Arts, Sports and Music is a dedicated department within the school. The school emphasizes creativity and action as part of student development. Creative and athletic pursuits are integrated into school life.

Cultural & Language
Modern Foreign Languages is a department, led by the Head of Modern Foreign Languages. The school promotes multilingual education as part of its learning approach, including international literacy efforts such as multilingual education themes highlighted in 2024.

Social & Hobbies
The school encourages participation in sports and creative activities as part of student life. The Expressive Arts, Sports and Music department supports these pursuits and helps integrate them into everyday learning. Participation in creative and athletic activities is encouraged across the school.

Community & Service
The school encourages participation in community service as part of its learning and school life.

Leadership & Professional
The school offers two curriculum pathways—international (IGCSE/IBDP) and national (NECTA)—to support a range of higher education options. A College Guidance Counsellor and a School Counsellor provide guidance on higher education, scholarships, and student well‑being, complemented by pastoral leadership within the school.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The school focuses on more than academics, encouraging participation in sports, community service, creativity, and action across the school. Pastoral care is provided by a Head of Pastoral Care and supported by a School Counsellor, underscoring wellbeing as a core part of student development. Expressive Arts, Sports and Music contribute to holistic growth and personal development.
Languages

Language Provision
English, French and Kiswahili are taught. Cambridge O Level Group 1 languages include English (First Language), French and Swahili. The IB Diploma Programme includes Kiswahili HL/SL and French ab initio; English Language and Literature is offered at DP. The National Curriculum (NECTA) includes English and Kiswahili as core subjects. The Middle School programme includes modern foreign languages.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Eligibility and application: The school welcomes boys and girls of all nationalities, races, religions and cultural heritage. Admissions are open for Grades 7-12 and Form 1-4. Applications are submitted online at akes.nexquare.io. Before sitting for an entrance assessment, a completed application form must be submitted together with other required documents. 2. Selection Process: Students seeking admission into Grades 7-9/Forms 1-4 are required to take an entrance assessment. Admission into the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is based on the student's current grades and school reports, performance in the entrance assessment, and previous board/public examinations if completed. Where places are limited and merit is equal, precedence is given to siblings of students already attending any Aga Khan Schools and then to siblings of graduates of Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School. 3. Time of Admission: Ordinarily, admission is before the beginning of the school year for the grade level being sought. Students may be admitted mid-year when places are available. Applications are generally not accepted for admission into Grade 10 or Form 4 and Grade 12; exceptions can be made if the student is coming directly from overseas. 4. Procedure: Announcements are made in the local press and on social media inviting applications. Information is provided about closing dates for submitting application forms and the dates and times of the entrance assessment. Before sitting for the entrance assessment, a completed application form must be submitted together with other required documents. When there are more eligible applicants than places for a particular grade level, admission will be on a first-come basis. 5. Visits to the School: Parents and prospective students are welcome to make an appointment to meet the head of school and tour the school. Office hours are 7:15 am to 4:00 pm.

Scholarships
Scholarships: A qualified career counsellor provides guidance on higher education, and scholarships from institutions around the world and career options. The counsellor helps students explore scholarship opportunities and plan for post-secondary education. This support is part of the school's broader approach to preparing students for higher education.

Waitlist
Waitlist: If more eligible applicants than places exist for a grade level, admission is allocated on a first-come basis. Where merit is equal and places are limited, precedence is given to siblings of students currently attending Aga Khan Schools and then to siblings of graduates of Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School.
School Events
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