The Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa, hires Annia Dear as their new Junior School Principal

The Aga Khan Academies have hired Annia Dear, currently Primary School Principal at Miras International School in Almaty, Kazakhstan, to lead the Junior School at their flagship Academy in Mombasa, Kenya.

The Aga Khan Academies are a growing network of international schools established by His Highness, the Aga Khan. Their mission is to develop the next generation of leaders of civil society and they operate a needs-blind admissions policy. Students are considered for places at the Academy based solely on their academic ability, regardless of their ability to pay school fees. Each Academy is an IB World School and will eventually offer the PYP, MYP and DP. However, despite their international outlook, they remain very much rooted in the culture and traditions of their host countries.

The Academy in Mombasa was the first Academy to open in 2003 and is one of three currently operating. The other two are in Hyderabad, India, and Maputo, Mozambique. It is a three-programme IB School with around 700 students on the roll. Around half of the students in the Senior School are residential.

Society conducted a global search for experienced Junior School administrators with strong IB credentials. A vital component of the search was finding someone who had a close affinity with the mission of the Aga Khan Academies and their global values.

Originally from Australia, Annia joins AKA from Kazakhstan, where she’s been leading the Primary School at the Miras International School in Almaty since 2015. Prior to this, she worked in the Australian system for many years, leading two Primary Schools in the state of Victoria. She took up her first international post in 2013 and spent two years in Dubai with Deira International School and the Universal American School of Dubai.

Of her appointment to the Academy in Mombasa, Annia said:

“As an educator for many years, it’s a dream come true to be going to work in Africa. The vision that underpins of the Aga Khan Academy Network is one that I personally believe and I am thrilled to be able to accept the position of Junior School Principal and support the ongoing work of the academy in Mombasa, Kenya.”

Of working with Society, Annia also added:

“A huge thank you to Society for giving me this opportunity and following up with timely reassuring chats and feedback during the process.”