Curriculum Crossover: India’s Bold Bet on Aussie Academic Excellence

In a landmark move for Indian education, the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) has officially granted foreign board equivalence to the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE), paving the way for its introduction across 100 schools nationwide over the next three years. This makes WACE the first international government-backed school board to be formally launched in India.

 

WACE, administered by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) of the Government of Western Australia, is a globally recognized K-12 curriculum already established in over 16 countries, including Singapore, China, Japan, and Malaysia. The curriculum is known for its future-ready, competency-based approach that emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and real-world application, moving beyond rote memorization.

 

With AIU’s recognition, Indian students completing the WACE curriculum will receive full Grade XII equivalence, enabling seamless admission to Indian universities as well as top institutions worldwide. Additionally, students will be awarded the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), a university entrance score accepted by universities in Australia, the UK, US, Canada, Europe, and Asia.

 

The rollout aligns closely with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, focusing on holistic, inquiry-driven learning and continuous teacher professional development. WACE will be offered through a network of partner schools across India, with all certifications issued directly by the Government of Western Australia.

 

Education leaders have hailed the move as transformative, offering a high-quality, moderately priced alternative to existing international boards and opening new academic and career pathways for Indian students both domestically and globally.

 

Source: The Indian Express