Frequently Asked Questions

The booklist includes only Urdu and Islamiat SNC Model textbooks by PCTB as per our previous practice. UCS curriculum is mainly UK and Singapore based and is of international standards. The textbooks on the booklist primarily consist of top tier international publishers and are carefully aligned with SNC.

UCS is only using Urdu and Islamiat SNC Model textbooks by PCTB. We have trained teachers and have a robust programme for their continuous professional development. Our Teaching and Learning practices include Infinity, our Singapore based Learning Management System. The Infinity lessons encompass academic videos, online games, homework portal and clicker based assessments. Furthermore, we have a strong technology infrastructure and we continue to use digital resources and experiential learning to enhance our students’ knowledge and skills.

Our textbooks have either received No Objection Certificate (NOC) or are in the process of receiving an NOC from Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board (PCTB). We are hopeful that some of the textbooks will be available by the end of September 2021.

Our schools have teachers’ copies of all the textbooks which are used for teaching and learning. The students are being assigned proper copy work to ensure they are well connected to their studies.

The assessment framework is going to be the same as it was last year and has no impact due to the implementation of SNC. The only change in the assessment criteria is the addition of the new subject, Nazra.

The curriculum of United Charter Schools has always placed the student firmly at the centre of all learning activities. Our students are equipped with the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to become competent and confident learners. With the incorporation of SNC, our students’ will further strengthen their moral values.

UCS Connect, our online learning platform, has a number of activities that give students practical exposure to learning. Our teachers plan and conduct interactive online lessons that include well guided hands-on activities/experiments. For younger learners, these activities require parental involvement.

Students will be supported throughout this transition of learning General Knowledge and Social Studies in Urdu. The teaching methodologies, classroom discussion, and the assessment criteria will help students cope with the change.

As per the Punjab Government’s directive, the mentioned subjects have to be taught in Urdu. To facilitate the struggling students, initially a bilingual model is employed
where the terminology and jargon is taught using Urdu as well as English language.

Beaconhouse has a standardised curriculum designed at the Head Office; Whereas, UCS has a textbook-based curriculum. There is a difference in fee structure.

UCS aims to provide quality education at international standards. Due to COVID-19, a paradigm shift has taken place in teaching and learning, and blended learning has become a necessity. UCS addresses this need in the form of INFINITY, our communication and information technology tool, powered by a Singapore-based Knowledge Platform, providing online lessons and assessments to your child, enabling parents and teachers to gauge the learning process of each child. This allows UCS to be accessible to our larger parent body; hence, increasing the spectrum of excellence in education.

There is a difference in the fee structure and the Curriculum.

Yes.

UCS offers both Matriculation and O-Level streams. Currently, all the Campuses are from Pre-Nursery to Class VIII. From 2024 onwards, both Matriculation and O-Level classes will begin.

UCS offers both Matriculation and O’ Level streams.

Currently, UCS has 29 campuses across Pakistan. However, many more are in the pipeline.

The students completing O Level will be given priority in admission to A Levels Campuses of Beaconhouse Schools and HOMEBRIDGE which is an online A-Level Programme and is also a project of Beaconhouse.

This year we are opening five Campuses, four in Lahore and one in Faisalabad. However, the number will increase in the upcoming years. By next year UCS Campuses will be opened in most cities of Pakistan.

The locations of the five Campuses are:

1. Johar Town Campus: 7-C/II, PGECHS, Johar Town, Lahore, Pakistan. Ph: 042-35189820-21: 
2. Gulberg Campus: 68/C-l, Gulberg lll, Lahore, Pakistan. Ph: 042-35718292-93

• Paragon Campus: 21-S, Imperial Homes, Paragon City, Barki Road, Lahore, Pakistan. Ph: 042-37191663, 96

1. Elite Town Campus: 111/A, Elite Town, Ferozepur Road, Kahna Lahore

Faisalabad Campus: 204/B, Eden Garden Road, Kashmir Underpass, Canal Road, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Ph: 041-8522991-92

The textbooks included in the UCS booklist are Cambridge, Oxford, and Singapore-based.

Yes, all Campuses follow the same curriculum.

Yes, you can.

Yes, you may order/buy books online. The procedure is:

1. Login on ‘https://www.mybagpack.com’;
2. Select, ‘United Charter Schools’;
3. Select the ‘class’ of your child;
4. Options will appear on the left hand under the heading ‘Type’;
5. Click on the option ‘Book Packs’ so a consolidated summary of the price book pack appears on the screen;
6. Click, ’Add to Cart’. A window would appear;
7. Click, ‘Proceed to Check Out’;
8. You may create your ‘User login’ by entering your email address or you may continue shopping ‘as a guest’;
9. Enter your ‘shipping address’;
10. You’ll receive a ‘confirmation code’ on your given cell phone number;
11. When you enter your ‘confirmation code’, your order will be confirmed.

You are requested to visit your nearby Campus to get your child registered, followed by an interview and admission test. Once your child is interviewed and clears the test, the challan form is issued. When the admission fee is deposited in the bank, your child’s seat is confirmed.

Yes, we have the policy in place. Parents wanting to pay fees for the entire Academic Year will be given a discount of 6%; whereas, parents who are interested in paying the fee for half of the Academic Year, will be given a discount of 3%.

Yes, it is.

There is no policy on segregating boys and girls at UCS. However, this policy can be reviewed as deemed appropriate.

At United Charter Schools, we have air-conditioned classrooms. Our schools are well equipped with the latest educational technology tools necessary for blended learning. Technology is embedded in the teaching and learning of all the subjects. Each Campus has a well-resourced library and playground.

Co and Extra-curricular activities provide students with opportunities to polish their social, intellectual, communication, and interpersonal skills. Students at UCS are given exposure, not only to a range of academic and co-curricular activities but also, to physical and extra-curricular activities such as Sports Day, Dignity Day, declamation contests, reading activities, spellathons, and Annual Plays, etc.

UCS believes in the Continuous Professional Development of its School Heads and teachers. The Education Department at the Head Office provides ongoing training to all their staff so they excel in their profession.

UCS books are available online at My Backpack and the designated booksellers.

UCS uniforms are available at the same booksellers from where you can buy books.

At United Charter Schools, we care immensely about the wellbeing of our students and staff members. We follow all COVID -19 SOPs incorporating international best practices and the Government of Pakistan’s requirements.

There is no Mid-Year or End of Year Examination from Pre-Nursery to Class 2. The result is based on continuous/formative classroom assessments. However, from Class 3 onwards, Mid-Year and End-of-Year Examinations are conducted. The result in these classes is based on continuous/formative classroom assessment as well as the Mid-Year and End-of-Year Examination.

The technologically enhanced infrastructure at UCS, including INFINITY and technology-savvy teachers as a result of rigorous teacher training has made it possible for UCS to easily adapt to online teaching if need be. Also, our Parents ’portal would help bridge the gap between our schools and the parent body.

The school timings are different for Early Years and Primary Classes. However, the 

school timings of both Early Years and Primary Classes remain the same throughout

Summers and Winters i.e.

Summer and Winter Timings-Early Years and Primary Classes

Monday to Thursday

Pre-Nursery will follow reduced timings at the beginning but eventually, the timings will be 8:00 to 12:30 p.m.

Nursery and KG: 8:00 to 1:00 pm

Classes I to onwards: 8:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Friday

Pre-Nursery: 8:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Nursery and KG– 8:00 to 11:30 a.m.

Classes I to onwards: 8:00 – 12:30 p.m.

No, it is the parent’s responsibility to pick and drop their child/ren

Yes. All campuses are equipped with generators.

Yes, Bifurcation.

Bifurcation is a process of identifying a suitable educational trajectory for Class VIII students, determining between O Level and Matriculation.

Student performance throughout the academic year in class VIII shall be assessed, with specific consideration given to the results of the Mid-Year Examination and the 3rd Periodic Assessment for stream allocation.

Matric: An overall 40% or more in all subjects in Class VIII. 

O-Level: An Overall 50% or more in all subjects in Class VIII.

The UCS is offering Sciences only. Subject distribution is as under:

Class IX/X Matric (Punjab Region):  Physics, Biology or Computer Science, Chemistry, Mathematics, English, Urdu, Islamiat, Tarjuma-tul-Quran, Pak Studies, Ethics (compulsory for non-Muslim candidates)

There is a slight change. The Matriculation subjects offered in the Sindh region are:

Class IX/X Matric (Sindh Region):  English, Urdu/ Sindhi for Sindhi medium, Mathematics, Physics, Biology/Computers, Chemistry, Islamiat/ (Ethics/Religious Studies for Non-Muslim candidates), Pakistan Studies, Geography (for foreign students only)

The relevant Provincial Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) conduct annual examinations according to their prescribed schedule, with separate examinations for Class IX and X.

The duration is two years. The relevant Provincial BISE will conduct annual examinations separately for both Class IX and Class X upon the completion of their respective academic sessions.

The relevant Provincial Matriculation boards provide the registration process and schedule to the schools, which the schools then follow to register their students with the board.

• National Recognition
• Basic benchmark
• Lecture-based approach
• Opens door to next level of education – FSc./FA/Diploma DAE/ACCA, etc.

The Programme spans three years. In the first year (IX O). Students are introduced to O Level studies, and a significant portion of the syllabus is covered. In Class X O students will sit for the CAIE examination for Pakistan Studies, Urdu, and Islamiat. In Class XI O the students will appear in the remaining subjects.

At present UCS is offering the following academic groups for O Level studies.

• Sciences:

         Subjects: English, Urdu, Mathematics, Islamiat, Pakistan Studies, Physics, Chemistry, Biology/,                                Computer/Additional Mathematics

• Business Studies:

          Subjects: English, Urdu, Mathematics, Islamiat, Pakistan Studies, Business Studies, Economics,                                  Accounting

Cambridge University conducts O-Level Examinations.

In Year X O: Students will appear in the following subjects:

Pakistan Studies, Islamiat, and Pakistan Studies.

In Year XI O: Students will appear in the following subjects:

• Sciences: English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Computer/Additional Mathematics
• Business Studies: English, Mathematics, Business Studies, Economics, Accounting

Cambridge University awards O-Level certificate.

Yes, the O-Level certificate is nationally and internationally recognised.

IBCC – INTER BOARDS COORDINATION COMMISSION, authenticates, equivalence, and verifies the certificates, up to Higher Secondary levels and equivalent having been issued from local or foreign authorised institutions or examining bodies.  An Equivalence Certificate is issued by the IBCC.

The student has to reappear in the CAIE examination as a private candidate.

1. O-Level focuses on critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
2. O-Level provides students with the opportunity to choose specific subjects based on their interests and career aspirations.
3. National and International recognition
4. Smooth induction/admission into International universities.
5. The same subjects are offered all over Pakistan
6. Students can opt for A-Level/Matriculation/IB/ACCA based on their interests and career approach.