IST is an independent, private, not-for-profit day school. We offer rigorous academic programmes coupled with a wide range of extra-curricular activities serving students from the young age of three to 18 (Grade 12). Both our academics and extracurricular activities allow our students to excel in whatever they put their minds to.;xNLx;;xNLx;Founded in 1963, the school has been working with expatriate and Tanzanian families providing a world-class education for our students for 55 years. In the words of our Director, Mark Hardeman, “Our longevity and strong international reputation have been developed through effective partnerships with our local community, strong academic results, and a well-balanced curriculum which allows students to explore their passions and interests.”;xNLx;;xNLx;Through our timeline, you'll find significant moments in history both for IST and Tanzania. Make sure to click around as there are blog posts, audio clips and videos attached. ;xNLx;;xNLx;The research for this timeline was brought together with the help of Graham Mercer’s "A Very Special School", a book on IST’s rich history. ;xNLx;
The concept for IST began taking shape as the result of an increased international outlook and an influx of international workers and their families in Dar es Salaam, following Tanganyika’s (see 1964 in the timeline to see how Tanganyika later joined with Zanzibar to form the United Republic of Tanzania) independence.
Tanganyika becomes independent with Julius Nyerere as Prime Minister.
With the influx of an international community, a few parents began exploring the possibility of setting up an international school in Dar es Salaam. This group of parents, together with the assistance of the then Geneva-based International Schools Association, founded IST the next year.
Tanganyika becomes a republic with Julius Nyerere elected as President. He became President in 1964.
He was added to the Board and served with distinction. He later went on to be honored as a Honorary Knight Commander of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in 2003. Also honored in 2005 with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award by the President of India He was one of the 20 founder members of the school committee.
In 1962, a few parents began exploring the possibility of setting up an international school in Dar es Salaam. This group of parents, together with the assistance of the then Geneva-based International Schools Association, founded IST in 1963. When IST opened its doors on what was then called Cameron Road (now United Nations Road) in September of that year, it had 214 elementary-aged pupils, nine full-time and one part-time teacher, mostly recruited from within Tanzania. At the time, it was also the first international school in this half of Africa. By the end of the year, the school community had grown to 305 pupils and 15 full-time teachers. One of the original teachers was Gloria Mawji, read her story by clicking the link below.
Irene Leach was the school’s first Head. She’s "perhaps the most outstanding”, according to long-time IST teacher, Graham Mercer. Read his story by clicking the link below!
Dr. Michael Latham, IST’s first Board Chair and one of the school’s founders, addressing the audience at IST’s opening ceremony. To his left is Mr. Desmond Cole-Baker of the International School of Geneva who acted as a visiting consultant during IST’s early years. The ceremony also included Mr. Eliufoo, Tanganyika’s first Minister of Education. Dr. Latham was an English medical doctor specializing in nutrition. In a book about IST’s history "A Very Special School - In Africa" by Graham Mercer, Latham spoke of the founding of IST he said, “It was originally built as a Primary School before full independence...” Click the photo to hear the rest of Dr. Latham’s perspective on founding IST.
Mr. Houghton paid a special tribute to Michael Latham “and all those who had worked so selflessly and untiringly towards the setting up of the school”.
Zanzibar becomes independent.
