All board members serve as volunteers on an unremunerated basis. The strength of the AKES system is founded on the volunteer governance and community support of the AKES network. The national service companies plan, implement and support appropriate educational services. Each board appoints a Chief Executive Officer, who is responsible for managing all aspects of the programmes. AKES focuses upon employing cost-effective and efficient management practices, investing in staff and teacher training, and striving for quality outputs.
Every company has active internal and external annual audits.
The faculty, parents, and children all play a vital role in the development and operation of AKES programmes. This synergy is supported by AKES's educational approach of enhancing academic instruction with a wide spectrum of extra-curricular activities. Collaborating with several educational partners, the Aga Khan Education Services' social development programmes contribute to positive educational change in the wider national community. AKES in specific countries AKES schools are the bedrock of AKDN's work in education in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. AKES works through national service companies in each of the East African countries and cooperates with government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and national and international universities.