Lubna Khan has had a remarkable career as an educationalist spanning more than 25 years. She has the experience of leadership in academies in the Middle East and is currently working as a School Improvement Consultant in Qatar.
Lubna has worked as an Executive Head Teacher in London, United Kingdom at a school, which has been the hub of numerous international joint ventures in nearly 30 countries worldwide. She was a Local Leader of Education and a member of numerous academic committees both locally and internationally, which worked dynamically towards improving outcomes for children. She has also been involved in a Department for Education (DfE) National Select Committee with a literacy focus, the outcome of which changed practices across the United Kingdom.
At a Local Authority level, she successfully led Reading Development Projects, in partnership with the National Literacy Trust, in more than 100 schools. She is a mentor for new and aspiring Head Teachers and Senior Leaders at all levels.Lubna is actively involved in several charities which support the education of children in challenging circumstances. She is a Trustee and advocate of The Global Institute of Creative Thinking which brings together researchers and educational professionals from all over the world to share best educational practices, particularly in the development of creativity, critical thinking, and artificial intelligence.
Her current passions include her involvement in The Harmony Project, which connects the curriculum to real life and has nature and sustainability at its heart. She is a Rotarian and treasurer for The SUN Academy (Karachi), a UK-based charity which sponsors educational projects in Pakistan. She is connected to a multitude of like-minded educational professionals across Pakistan who aim to raise standards and work for equal opportunities for Pakistani youth. In an interview with Qatar Tribune, she spoke about different projects she has been involved in. Excerpts:
Please share your experience of working in a Department for Education (DfE) National Select Committee with a literacy focus, the outcome of which changed practices across the United Kingdom.
I was a member of the Select Committee under Lord Bew. The purpose was a national review of the KS2 assessment and examination protocols. Educational professionals from all over the United Kingdom were asked to share their views, and some 4,000 responses from groups and individuals were collated. As a result, the responsibility and indeed trust, were returned to teachers where they now mark and grade KS2 writing papers internally and marks are shared nationally.
You have been actively involved in several charities which support the education of children in challenging circumstances. How has been your experience in this regard?
I started a serious charity campaign after the Pakistan earthquake of 2005 and set up a charity called Light4Life with a group of medical professionals, notably Dr Aslam Nasir, who has gone on to do incredible things in Pakistan. Being involved in charities particularly in Pakistan has highlighted the dedication and commitment of overseas Pakistanis in wanting to support our future generations, both financially and in terms of physical efforts.
You are Trustee and advocate of The Global Institute of Creative Thinking (GIoCT). What are the aims and objectives of this institute?
To ignite minds and foster out-of-the-box thinking in educational settings across the globe, serving as the catalyst for a transformative approach to learning and leadership. GIoCT sees a world where creative thinking is not just an asset but a universal language, bridging cultural, educational, and professional gaps to solve humanity’s greatest challenges. Our Paris summit saw an impressive gathering of professors, researchers and school leaders from all over the globe who brought their expertise and knowledge to the table.It is anticipated that the next GIoCT Summit will be held in Qatar.
Please share details about your dream ‘The Harmony Project’.
The Harmony Project is about learning from Nature. When education allows students to learn from Nature – rather than simply learning about Nature – they are better placed to engage with issues of sustainability.
The Harmony Project aims to transform education to ensure it is fit for purpose in preparing young people for life in the 21st century, not just to pass exams. We work with teachers and other educators to re-frame teaching and learning around natural laws and principles which show the world as an interconnected whole.
It is a school curriculum based on Nature’s principles of Harmony. These principles guide and inform the way a ‘Harmony curriculum’ is structured, providing a coherent and meaningful framework through which the UK National Curriculum learning objectives can be delivered.
When was the SUN Academy established in Karachi and who sponsors it?
SUN is a UK-based charity established in 1996. SUN Academy was established in Karachi in March 2010 to give equal and equitable access to education. It serves the local community, there are approximately 1000 students. The academy has inspiring outcomes for children who can compete equally with their peers. I have worked extensively with the READ Foundation to support SUN and other organisations build schools across Pakistan. It was in collaboration with READ that I delivered training via The British Council to schools in Islamabad.
How has been your experience working with educational professionals in Pakistan?
Educational professionals all over the world share the same dedications and commitments to benefiting the lives of children, Pakistan is no different. I have been privileged to work with many great minds over the years, delivering training and sharing good practice. Notably this aspect began with my introduction to Bloomsbury Pakistan, a research and resource centre based in University of London.
It facilitates academic research on Pakistan through the publication of book reviews, discussion reports, and other material for scholars and those with a serious interest in the issues facing the country. In existence since 2000, it has a strong reputation for the quality of its work. It brings together scholars based in the UK, in Pakistan and in other parts of the world. It regularly convenes to discuss academic research on Pakistan, organises public lectures and conferences.
Key members of this group, Dr Farid Panjwani (who is now the Dean of Agha Khan University, Karachi), Dr Tariq Suleman (Lectures at Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad) along with myself, key members of ITA (Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi) notably Baela Raza Jamil, came together and delivered training on creative pedagogy.
