Dr. Fatima Rehan Dar

Summary of Experience Dr Fatima Rehan Dar is a seasoned educational expert with more than 26 years of experience working in the education sector. Her focus areas are teacher and corporate trainings, professional development, educational reforms, curriculum development, non-formal education and educational research. She is currently the CEO and Managing Partner of Oak Consulting. Oak Consulting is an educational consultancy that offers services in the fields of teacher development and research, curriculum development, educational reforms, monitoring and evaluation, corporate leadership, soft skill development, information technology and language development. Previously, she served as Director, Institute for Global Cooperation and Outreach at Iqra University, Karachi and also Director, Center for Teaching Excellence and Learning Innovation at the same university. She has been associated with the education departments of other academic institutions including SZABIST, Beaconhouse National University, Aga Khan University, IOBM, Virtual University and Ali Institute of Education. She has developed teacher training courses for the Virtual University of Pakistan’s Bachelors in Education (B. Ed) programme in addition to other public and private sector schools in Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan. She also served as Team Lead, Monitoring, Evaluation and Research on the USAID funded Sindh Capacity Development Project. Fatima’s special areas of interests are English language teacher education, curriculum development, education management, materials’ development, monitoring, assessment and evaluation and research. Dr Dar holds PhD in Education from School of Education and Cognitive Sciences, Asia e University, Malaysia, an M.A. Curriculum and Teaching from Columbia University (USA) and an MA in English from Government College University, Lahore (PAK). She has had the honour to receive Charles Wallace Trust Scholarship Award for year 2000 and went to Institute of Education, University College London. She was also selected to visit the Stockholm Institute of Education, Sweden to work on a collaborative project on action research. She held the honour of being the Editor (English section) of the magazine of Government College University, The Ravi’, for which she was awarded the Roll of Honour. She was also the Head Girl of her school.   She has remained member of federal and provincial committees on education and curriculum and textbook reforms. She is also member of editorial boards of academic journals and member of Board of Studies of key universities in Pakistan. She is also a prolific researcher, an approved Higher Education Commission of Pakistan’s approved PhD supervisor and has a number of international and national publications to her credit.  

Education Consultancies

March 4, 2022-to date   CEO & Managing Partner, Oak Consulting

Employment History

Selected Experience

Pakistan, Adviser-Single National Curriculum English textbooks (Grades 1-5), KESP, FCDO, April 2021 – June 2021

As an adviser – Single National Curriculum (SNC), Fatima conducted the review of five primary model textbooks developed under the SNC English Grade 1 to 5. In the review assignment, she assessed coverage of Student Learning Objectives (SLOs) in the SNC in the textbooks listed. She was responsible to critically review appropriateness of selection of activities presented in the textbooks and review missing links in the vertical sequencing of a selection of SLOs in the textbooks listed.

Pakistan, Lead Consultant, The Citizens Foundation (TCF), May 2020- March 21
In the role of lead consultant, I monitored and evaluated the teacher training DASTAK project for TCF. The purpose of the project was to analyze the impact of the training given by TCF to teacher trainers of marginalized areas of Karachi. The work involved the following elements:

• Study the documents including program design, curriculum, lesson plans, teacher training materials to analyze their fitness for the project.
• Take the stakeholders on board and evaluate the framework and design in the light of their experiences.
• Observe classrooms to see the effect of teacher training on students and teaching – learning process.
• Submit a project evaluation report that outlined the results of document analysis, interviews and classroom observations.
• Give some key recommendation for program improvement

Pakistan, Lead Consultant, Adult Literacy Curriculum, Sindh, JICA, 2017
In the role of Lead Consultant, Fatima conducted needs assessment of six districts of Sindh with respect to adult literacy. Monitoring of adult literacy and non-formal education centres. She evaluated data and provided the framework for the adult literacy curriculum.

Pakistan, Member of Provincial Review Committee (PRC), Adviser of English Textbooks from Grade 1-10 Punjab Textbook Board, April 2017 – August 2018
The work involves advisement on the linguistic and cognitive appropriacy and general quality of English textbook materials from Grade 1-10.

Pakistan, Team Lead, PESP, FCDO, 2015
As a team lead, Fatima supported on the Technical Assistance on the compilation of Grade 3 English textbook by Punjab Textbook Board. She conducted monitoring and evaluation of materials of Grade 3 against the given SLOs. She provided the feedback to writers and evaluated materials again for the textbook publishing.  

Pakistan, Lead Consultant Adaptive English Language Tool Project, National University of Science and Technology – FAST, 2008 – 2009  This project was an endeavour to develop supplementary online Grade 9 English teaching materials for     Government school children. My work involved technical advisement on the linguistic features of the materials, systematic progression of linguistic concepts and a review of the linkage between language teaching and the online mode of teaching and learning.  

Pakistan, Technical Adviser, Action Research Project under the Professional Development, Initiative of ESRA, International Reading Association – ESRA-USAID, 2004 -2006 
Fatima was a consultant on an Action Research Project which was part of the professional development of Head Teachers, District Education Officers and PITE’s of nine districts of Sindh and Balochistan. The work involved conducting workshops for Master Trainers on Action Research, enabling them to introduce the concepts in their respective districts.  

Pakistan, Language Consultant, Society for the Advancement for Higher Education (SAHE), 2001 – 2001 
Fatima developed language support materials for the Punjab Textbook Board including books and English language improvement material for teachers teaching in rural areas of Pakistan. She developed teachers’ manuals for community schools supported by SAHE in District Pakpattan, Punjab. The manuals focused on teaching English language from Grades 1-5 and also gave appropriate teaching techniques to teachers for classroom use. She also developed training manuals for teaching vocabulary and grammar for the community schools supported by SAHE in District Pakpattan, Punjab. These were training kits which facilitated the teaching of vocabulary and grammar.  

Pakistan, In-service teacher training projects, various academic institutions/organisations, 1996 – 2010 
Fatima has developed and conducted language teacher training programmes, professional development workshops for the following schools and organisations: Lahore Grammar School, Lahore; Convent of Jesus and Mary, Lahore; Divisional Public School, Lahore; Jinnah Public School, Gujrat; ICI Winnington School, Khewra; Engro Chemicals School, Dharki; Army Public Schools Lahore, Mailsi; PAF schools Lahore, Mianwali, Shorkot; Govt. Elementary Schools, District Pakpattan; NOWA Pirbhat, Khairpur; Sindh Education Foundation (SEF) Master Trainers’ program, Karachi; Directorate of Staff Development, Lahore.   She also worked with the Education Sector Reform Assistance Program (ESRA- USAID) conducting training in action research of trainers from Hyderabad, Thatta, Sukkur & Khairpur districts of Sindh and Gwador, Turbat, Noshki, Killa Saifullah and Chaghi districts of Balochistan.    

Member & Adviser 

• Punjab Textbook Board Provincial Review Committee Member (2009-2012)
• Member, Editorial Board, Universal Journal of Educational Research, Horizon Research Publishing (HRPUB), USA
• Member, Board of Governors, Manzil Educational Organization, Karachi
• Member Board of Studies, Department of Humanities, NED University, Karachi
• Member Board of Studies, Institute of Business Management (IoBM), Karachi,
• Member Board of Studies, Department of English, Jinnah University for Women, Karachi
• Member Board of Studies, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, Zia ud din University, Karachi
• Member, Standing Committee Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FPCCI) on Technical and Vocational education
• Member, Advisory committee, International Journal of Childhood Studies, IOBM Karachi
• Member, Review Committee under Educational Reforms Committee, Government of Sindh
• Member, Curriculum Review Committee, Ministry of Federal and Professional Training, Government of Pakistan
• Reviewed the Single National Curriculum (English) from Grades 1-8 and given comments to the Ministry
• Member, Curriculum Advisory Committee, Ministry of Federal and Professional Training, Government of Pakistan
• External Member, Faculty Selection Committee, Aga Khan University, Institute for Education Development (AKU-IED)

Selected Publications Research Publications

1. Dar, FR, Kamran, R., Asad, M. (2021). Identification of challenges in teaching world literature course at undergraduate level. Pakistan Journal of Educational Research. Vol 4, Issue 4. Pp. 402-418. https://pjer.org/index.php/pjer/article/view/368/134.
2. Pathan, H., Khatoon, S., Memon, S. A., Raheem, A. M., Dar, F., Mushtaq, F. (2021). Impact of multimedia gloss on learning reading comprehension in ESL context. Elementary Education Online. ISSN: 1305-3515
3. Dar, F., & Faruqui, A., & Asad, M. (2019). Scaffolding English Language Teaching through Technology, Journal of Education & Social Sciences, 7 (2), 79-92. DOI: https://doi.org/10.20547/jess0721907206
4. Dar, Fatima (2018). Using texts to teach Cognitive-affective curriculum. Journal of Education and Educational Development. Vol (5), No.2. 28-44. Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.22555/joeed.v5i2.1976
5. Dar, F. R. (2016). Empathetic and Pro-social Awareness in Primary School Students: A Case Study. Universal Journal of Educational Research 4(10): 2406-2414, 2016 http://www.hrpub.org DOI: 10.13189/ujer.2016.041019
6. Dar, R. (2015). Rethinking Education – Emerging Roles for Teachers. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 3,63 – 74. doi: 10.13189/ujer.2015.030201.
7. Dar, F., Aslam, A., Butt, S. (2014) Teaching and learning of English in Sindh: A case study of four districts. Lahore: SAHE
8. Dar, F. (2014). Curriculum and textbooks. In Rashid, A., Muzzafar, I., Dar, F., Aslam, A., Awan, A., Butt, S., Khan, A.S.(Eds.). Education Monitor: Reviewing quality of key education inputs in Pakistan. Pp. 80-90. Lahore: SAHE

International Book Chapters

1. Dar, F. (2003). English Language teaching through e-mail. In, Sabiha Mansoor, Aliya Tahir, & Shaheen Meraj, (Eds.). Language policy, planning and Practice. (pp. 235-243). Karachi: Oxford University Press.
2. Dar, F. (2005). Online language learning. In Zafar Syed (Ed.) Culture, context, and communication in English language teaching. (pp. 331-343) Abu Dhabi: Military Language Institute.
3. Dar, F., Kassim, Z.A. (2009) Cooperative learning – Is it an aid to learning? In, Sabiha Mansoor, Aliya Sikandar, Nasreen Hussain & Nasreen Ahsan (Eds.) Emerging issues in TEFL. (pp. 254-269). Karachi: Oxford University Press
4. Dar, F. (2011) Affective education: How affective is our learning. In G. Cane, A. Ahmad & M. Hanzala (Eds.) Teaching English in multi contexts: current challenges, future directions. (pp.91-103) Newcastle upon Tyne: CSP.
5. Dar, F. (2013) Social competence and language learning. In, A. Ahmad, M. Hanzala, F. Saleem &G. Cane (Eds.). ELT in a changing world: Innovative approaches to new challenges. (pp. 243-254). Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
6. Rashid, A., Muzzafar, I., Dar, F., Butt, S. (2016). The issue of English as Medium of Instruction in primary schools in Pakistan: Learning English, mathematics or science? In Zehlia Babaci-Wilhite (Ed.) Human Rights in Language and STEM Education. Boston, (pp.179-204) MA: Sense Publishers

Journal Articles

1. Dar, F. R. (2016). Teaching Through the Blended Mode of Learning: Benefits, Issues and Challenges. The Eurasia Proceedings of Educational & Social Sciences, 4, 84-92.
2. Dar, F. (2012) Let language run its natural course. SPELT Quarterly, Vol. 27 – No. 1, pp. 13-16
3. Dar, F. (2012) Textbook materials and their successful application in the classroom: Implications for language development. Journal of educational and instructional studies in the world. Vol. 2, issue: 4 article 13, pp. 109-114 ISSN: 2146-7463.
4. Dar, F., Saleem, N. (2006). Time to clean up environment: Reading strategies. SPELT Quarterly, Vol 21- No.2.
5. Dar, F. (2003). Developing emotional intelligence through literature. SPELT Quarterly, Vol 18 – No. 1, 20-22
6. Dar, F. (2000). Teaching and writing poetry. SPELT Quarterly, Vol 15: No 2, 13-19

Conference Proceedings

1. Dar, F. (2017, 19-20 May). Best Practices for Teachers: Creating Useful Linkages in Teaching and Learning. Paper presented at Language & Learning Conference: A Deliberation on Language-in-Education Policy and Practice in Pakistan. Lahore, Pakistan: SAHE. https://llconference.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Dr.-Fatima-Dar-Equipping-teachers.pdf
2. Dar, F. (2002) Private Schools Teacher training Programs: Learning from the experience of two school systems: In Abbas Rashid. (Ed.) SAHE Education Watch Report 2002: Learning to Teach.

Newspaper Articles

1. Dar, F.R. (2020, March 31). Education in times of crisis. The Nation. Retrieved from: https://nation.com.pk/31-Mar-2020/education-in-times-of-crisis
2. Dar, F.R. (2017, November 9). Iqbal, Education and Youth. The Nation. Retrieved from: http://nation.com.pk/09-Nov-2017/iqbal-education-and-youth
3. Dar, F. (2008, June 15). Gender disparity in children’s literature. DAWN.
4. Dar, F. (2002, July 14). Emotional intelligence and literature. DAWN

  Papers Read at Academic Conferences

Featured and Key Note Talks Given