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News18
5 days ago
- Business
- News18
‘Global, Yet Affordable': Australia's WACE Curriculum Coming To 100 Indian Schools
In a significant step towards transforming school education, India is set to introduce the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) in 100 schools. In a major step for India's school education system, the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE)—a senior secondary curriculum from the Government of Western Australia—will be introduced in 100 schools across India over the next three years. Already running in countries like Singapore, China, Japan, and Malaysia, WACE is now set to become the first international school board backed by a foreign government to officially launch in India. This comes after the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) recognised WACE as equivalent to Indian school boards. This recognition ensures WACE's equivalence with Indian senior secondary school certificates, providing students access to both national and global higher education pathways. Every student enrolled in the WACE programme will be assigned a unique identification number by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA)—the statutory body overseeing WACE. All certificates will be issued directly by the Government of Western Australia, ensuring authenticity and global recognition. The WACE programme offers a comprehensive K–12 education pathway, spanning from early childhood education to senior secondary level. At present, international boards such as the International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge International Examinations (CIE), and the French Baccalaureate (FB) operate in India, providing both curricula and examination services. Angelique Smith: As WACE enters India, its vision is to act as a complementary partner in advancing the nation's evolving education landscape. In alignment with the NEP 2020, WACE aims to provide a globally benchmarked, government-backed curriculum that promotes critical thinking, creativity, and practical skills. By collaborating with Indian schools, government bodies, and regional stakeholders, WACE aspires to support seamless integration of its curriculum, addressing local educational needs while offering students access to international standards. This strategic partnership aims to strengthen the quality and global relevance of Indian education, preparing students for higher education and careers in a competitive global economy. Q. As the first government-recognised international school curriculum to enter India, how does WACE distinguish itself from existing global curricula? Angelique Smith: WACE is unique as the first government-recognised international curriculum in India, administered by the statutory body of the Government of Western Australia, the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA). Its recognition by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) ensures a smooth pathway for students into Indian higher education institutions. With over 36 years of delivering quality education, WACE combines global academic rigour with robust quality assurance, rooted in public accountability. Its blend of internationally benchmarked standards and local recognition makes it a credible and future-ready alternative, facilitating both national and international academic progression for Indian students. Q. Could you elaborate on how WACE supports competency-based, inquiry-driven, and student-centric learning as outlined in the NEP? Angelique Smith: WACE's curriculum aligns closely with NEP 2020's emphasis on competency-based, inquiry-driven education by focusing on developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and practical skills. It encourages experiential learning through project-based assessments, real-world applications, and interactive classroom strategies that foster curiosity and student engagement. Assessment methods include practical projects, presentations, and moderated grading, reducing rote learning and promoting a holistic understanding of concepts. Such approaches empower Indian students to become active participants in their education, aligning with NEP's goal of fostering student-centric learning environments. Q. Will WACE incorporate Indian cultural, linguistic, and historical perspectives within its curriculum to ensure contextual relevance for Indian students and educators? Angelique Smith: Yes, WACE recognises the importance of maintaining cultural and contextual relevance. Schools implementing WACE in India will continue to teach Indian history, languages, and region-specific content. The curriculum will be flexible enough to incorporate local stories, traditions, and languages, making learning more meaningful and engaging for students from diverse backgrounds. While maintaining its internationally benchmarked pedagogical approach, WACE aims to blend Indian cultural elements seamlessly, supporting NEP 2020's vision of integrating tradition with modernity in education. Q. How does WACE plan to equip Indian educators to deliver the WACE curriculum with the necessary training and pedagogical tools? Angelique Smith: WACE will provide comprehensive professional development programmes tailored to Indian educators' needs. This includes structured in-person training programmes, curriculum mentoring, and ongoing access to resources such as teaching guides, assessment tools, and digital platforms. These programmes will focus on student-centred, inquiry-based teaching methodologies aligned with WACE standards. To ensure scalability and relevance, WACE will also collaborate with local teacher training institutions and leverage government initiatives to empower teachers across regions, fostering confidence and competence in delivering a dynamic, inquiry-driven curriculum. Q. International curricula are often seen as expensive and exclusive. How does WACE plan to remain accessible and equitable across diverse socio-economic backgrounds in India? Angelique Smith: WACE, being a government-backed curriculum, aims to be more accessible than private, fee-based international options. Its strategy involves partnering with a diverse range of schools, including government-aided and affordable private institutions, to expand its reach. Modular implementation options, scalable teacher training, and support programmes will help reduce entry barriers. The goal is to democratise access to global education, enabling students from varying socio-economic backgrounds to benefit from world-class learning opportunities without leaving India. Q. How many schools are you going to onboard? What is the roadmap? Angelique Smith: WACE India aims to onboard 100 schools over the next three years. By engaging with a diverse cohort of schools, ranging from metro-based international institutions to progressive schools in Tier 2 and 3 cities, we aim to build a robust, future-ready learning ecosystem that aligns with both global standards and national education goals. About the Author Archit Gupta Archit Gupta is a Chief Sub-Editor at and a seasoned education journalist specialising in reporting on education and employment. He has covered a variety of education-related stories, including More Stay updated with the latest education! Get real-time updates on board exam results 2025, entrance exams such as JEE Mains, Advanced, NEET, and more. Find out top schools, colleges, courses and more. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : australia Education News Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 05, 2025, 21:22 IST News education-career 'Global, Yet Affordable': Australia's WACE Curriculum Coming To 100 Indian Schools | Interview
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Western Australian curriculum to launch in 3 Karnataka schools in July
Bengaluru: For decades, international curriculum in India has been synonymous with IB (International Baccalaureate, originally developed in Switzerland) and IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education from the UK). However, from 2025-26, one more international board will be added — WACE (Western Australian Certificate of Education). This new board from Western Australia is emerging as a strong competitor to existing international boards, with fees said to be up to 65% cheaper. The Australian authorities confirmed that the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) has officially granted 'foreign board' equivalence to WACE. This means they can function as a board in India. While WACE is looking to onboard 100 schools in India over the next three years, the rollout will be gradual up to class 12. The first few schools in India will introduce the curriculum to kindergarten students in July. Three are in Karnataka -- two in Bengaluru and one in Bidar. About 30 teachers are attending training in Bengaluru on teaching pedagogy and classroom delivery. They will be trained for 150 hours over two years, said Angelique Smith, principal consultant, School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA), Govt of Western Australia. The curriculum is a no-textbook model and has lesson plans and worksheets curated for different regions. Syed Sultan Ahmed, chairman of TAISI and advisor to WACE India on International Curriculum Integration, said: "The Australian govt intends to make the quality of education affordable... If IB schools, which are at the top (cost-wise), would be considered a 100%, Cambridge (IGCSE) would be 50% and WACE 35%. Students in the (WACE recognised) school get an Australian student identification number. That means they are recognised as students of Australia as well. "
The Print
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Print
Western Australian Certificate of Education to offer curriculum in Indian schools from 2025
With over 37 years of delivery across over 16 countries, including Singapore, China, Japan, and Malaysia, WACE is known for its future-ready curriculum that emphasizes academic depth, skills development, and global university pathways. WACE is a globally recognised senior secondary curriculum from the Australian government. The School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA), a statutory body of the Government of Western Australia, administers the WACE programme. New Delhi, May 26 (PTI) The Association of Indian Universities (AIU) has granted foreign board equivalence to the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE), paving the way for the curriculum to be formally introduced in Indian schools, according to officials. The board plans to onboard 100 schools in India in the next three years. The first cohort of Indian students enrolled in WACE will complete their first year of study in 2026, the officials said. According to Angelique Smith, Principal Consultant of SCSA, WACE is seen as a high-quality, but moderately priced alternative to existing international boards, offering K-12 education. 'For over 36 years, WACE has empowered students across continents with the tools to succeed in higher education and beyond. With AIU equivalence granted in India, we are proud to partner with Indian schools to offer a globally recognised curriculum that nurtures inquiry, adaptability, and academic excellence. 'WACE is excited to make a strong contribution to the Indian K-12 learning ecosystem, much in alignment with the NEP 2020 goals of providing holistic education, fostering flexible and multidisciplinary learning and teacher professional development,' Smith said. Offered through a network of partner schools across India, WACE will provide students with a unique identification number from SCSA, and all certifications will be issued directly by the Government of Western Australia. 'The AIU's recognition of WACE is a transformative moment for the Indian school education system. It not only affirms the credibility of the Western Australian curriculum but also opens new academic and career pathways for Indian students, within India as also globally. 'We are excited to support Indian schools in bringing this forward-thinking, NEP-aligned curriculum to life,' said Syed Sultan Ahmed, Chairman of TAISI, and Advisor to WACE India on International Curriculum Integration. At present, International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) and French Baccalaureate (FB) are among the foreign boards offering curriculums and assessments in India. PTI GJS GJS NSD NSD This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
