‘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 News18.com and a seasoned education journalist specialising in reporting on education and employment. He has covered a variety of education-related stories, including high-...Read 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

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

New Indian Express

an hour ago

• New Indian Express

Cool way to cut power consumption

A 2020 CEEW survey found that nearly 60% of Indian AC users set their units at 23°C or lower. 'Even a modest shift from 18°C to 20°C can cut AC energy use by 12%. If just 30% of new buyers (~5 million) adopt this change, it could save 1.4 billion units of electricity annually — enough to power 10–14 million homes monthly,' Agrawal added. If India improves its ACs efficiency substantially, energy consumption will be reduced to nearly 120 terawatt-hours by 2035, which is comparable to the energy output of over 60 gigawatts (GW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity, say market estimates. The moot question though is whether the industry and consumers are ready for it. Different studies show that improving the efficiency of ACs can be a win-win proposition for both the industry and consumers. The IECC study challenges the notion that increasing the efficiency of ACs will make them less affordable. Global data, as well as India's data of AC consumers, reveals that the price of higher efficient ACs consistently decreases while the efficiency of ACs doubles in the same period. Experts explain that the lower cost of ACs with higher efficiency is due to the economy of scale, enhanced manufacturing process, and competitive market dynamics. Data from Japan shows that between 1990 and 2015, the price of ACs reduced by 80%, while in the same period, ACs efficiency doubled, from 2.5 to 6.1 on the energy efficiency index. In Korea, too, energy efficiency increased to more than double, while the price declined by 60% after inflation was adjusted. Similarly, between 2004 and 2023, room AC efficiency improved by 60% in India, and prices were nearly halved. However, India's AC efficiency has not increased compared to Japan and Korea, which bolsters the idea that higher efficiency does not lead to increased costs. Moreover, the price of lesser efficient ACs compared to the efficient ACs is not much different. The IECC analysis shows that the average market price of 5-star ACs (highly efficient) is almost equal to that of 4-star and a little above that of 3-star. The median retail price of 3-star ACs last year was `36,990, whereas the 4-star median price was `43,490, followed by the 5-star price of `43,990. A market analysis shows that investing in 5-star ACs (1 ton) yields an upfront median incremental price of `5,970 compared to 1-star ACs. However, the higher-efficiency AC consumes 377 kWh less per year, resulting in annual electricity bill savings of `3,360. This implies a payback period of under two years.

Time of India

an hour ago

• Time of India

FATF report links dual-use equipment seized by India in 2020 to Pakistan's defence agency

India confiscated equipment from a ship bound for Pakistan in 2020. The equipment is linked to Pakistan's National Development Complex. This complex is involved in missile development. The Financial Action Task Force report highlighted this seizure. The report also pointed out vulnerabilities in preventing weapons proliferation. The seized items were mis-declared as industrial dryers. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads New Delhi: A dual-use equipment seized by India from a Pakistan-bound merchant vessel in 2020 is linked to Islamabad's National Development Complex that is involved in the country's missile development programme, a new report by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has seizure of the dual-use equipment used in developing missiles found mention in the report by the multilateral financial watchdog that highlighted vulnerabilities in the global financial report listed the case under a section on the misuse of the maritime and shipping sectors including to transport a range of commodities, including dual-use equipment."In 2020, Indian custom authorities seized an Asian-flagged ship bound for Pakistan. During an investigation, Indian authorities confirmed that documents mis-declared the shipment's dual-use items," the FATF report said."Indian investigators certified the items for shipment to be 'Autoclaves', which are used for sensitive high energy materials and for insulation and chemical coating of missile motors," the report said these sensitive items are included in dual-use export control lists of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).The bill of lading of the seized cargo provided evidence of the "link between the importer and the National Development Complex, which is involved in the development of long-range ballistic missiles," it export of equipment such as the autoclaves without formal approval from various authorities is a violation of existing law, the FATF National Development Complex (NDC) has played a crucial role in the development of Pakistan's missile had seized the dual-use equipment from merchant vessel Da Cui Yun at Kandla port in Gujarat on February 3, Indian customs authorities had stopped the vessel for wrongly declaring an autoclave, which can be used in construction of missiles, as an "industrial dryer".The report said that significant vulnerabilities remain across the global financial system in countering the financing of weapons of mass destruction (WMD)."Despite the grave threat posed by proliferation financing (PF), only 16 per cent of countries assessed by the FATF and its global network have demonstrated high or substantial effectiveness" in a process that evaluates the implementation of targeted financial sanctions under the United Nations Security Council resolutions on report said that unless the public and private sectors urgently bolster technical compliance and effectiveness, those seeking to finance WMD proliferation will continue to exploit weaknesses in existing report provided a detailed analysis of the evolving methods and techniques used to evade PF-related sanctions."Illicit actors are employing increasingly sophisticated methods to evade sanctions and circumvent export controls," it said.

Business Standard

an hour ago

• Business Standard

Rahul Gandhi slams PM Modi over 'Make in India', cites job concerns

The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Saturday criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that despite promises of a "Make in India" factory boom, manufacturing in the country is at a record low and youth unemployment is very high. Gandhi questioned the effectiveness of the "Make in India" initiative, highlighting that manufacturing in the country has fallen to a record low of 14 per cent of the economy since 2014. He also pointed to rising youth unemployment and a doubling of imports from China, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of focusing on slogans rather than real solutions. In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi shared a video and wrote, "Make in India" promised a factory boom. So why is manufacturing at record lows, youth unemployment at record highs, and why have imports from China more than doubled? Modi ji has mastered the art of slogans, not solutions. Since 2014, manufacturing has fallen to 14% of our economy." He highlighted the challenges faced by India's youth, sharing in a post that he met two talented young men, Shivam and Saif, in Nehru Place, New Delhi, who remain unable to fulfil their potential. He criticised the country's current economic model and said, "In Nehru Place, New Delhi, I met Shivam and Saif - bright, skilled, full of promise - yet denied the opportunity to fulfil it. The truth is stark: we assemble, we import, but we don't build. China profits." He said that Prime Minister Modi has no new ideas and has given up on growing India's industries. He added that even the important PLI scheme is being quietly stopped. Gandhi called for big changes to help Indian producers with honest reforms and financial support, warning that if India doesn't build its industries, it will keep buying from other countries. "With no new ideas, Modi ji has surrendered. Even the much-hyped PLI scheme is now being quietly rolled back. India needs a fundamental shift - one that empowers lakhs of producers through honest reforms and financial support. We must stop being a market for others. If we don't build here, we'll keep buying from those who do. The clock is ticking," the post reads The Make in India initiative was launched by the Prime Minister in September 2014 as part of a wider set of nation-building initiatives.