As India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 reshapes the academic landscape, international curricula are being evaluated for their ability to align with its reform goals. The Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE), developed by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) under the Government of Western Australia, has emerged as a strong contender.
In 2023, it achieved equivalence from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) for both Class 10 and Class 12 — enabling Indian students to earn a globally recognised qualification within the national framework.” We received AIU equivalence after a rigorous evaluation process,” says Angelique Smith, Principal Consultant at SCSA. “It validated WACE’s academic parity with India’s leading boards and positioned it as a credible international option.” Unlike private international boards such as IB or Cambridge, WACE is the official government curriculum of Western Australia. Its balanced 50:50 evaluation model — half based on schoolwork and half on final exams — promotes continuous assessment, project-based learning, and deeper understanding. Equally central is its commitment to teacher training: educators must complete at least 150 hours of professional development annually through online modules, mentoring, and classroom visits.
“Curricula succeed only when teachers feel confident delivering them,” says Smith. WACE mirrors NEP 2020’s emphasis on flexibility, multidisciplinary learning, and reduced rote learning. “WACE already does what NEP envisions — competency-based, inquiry-driven, and focused on real-world skills,” explains Ahmed. Students can blend disciplines — pairing physics with design or economics with digital technologies — reflecting a shift towards creativity and applied learning. WACE India integrates digital literacy and AI awareness across subjects. “AI isn’t a standalone subject — it’s woven into every discipline,” says Smith. “Students learn to use AI tools responsibly and critically.” Ahmed adds, “Just as computers became integral to all professions, AI will be too. WACE ensures students are future-ready.” “If Australian students study a European war, Indian students might explore a local historical event instead,” says Smith. The curriculum accommodates Indian languages and histories, helping schools remain rooted in national identity while meeting global benchmarks. Graduates receive both the WACE certificate and an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank), accepted by leading global universities, including the US Ivy League, the UK’s Russell Group, and Canada’s top institutions. In India, AIU equivalence allows seamless admission to national universities. The University of Western Australia also offers WACE graduates special bursaries worth AUD 20,000. WACE India has partnered with schools such as DPS North and East Bengaluru and Shaheen International, Bidar, aiming to reach 100 schools within four years through collaborations with state governments and TAISI.” Our goal isn’t another board,” concludes Ahmed. “It’s to build a model that empowers teachers and prepares India’s youth for the future.”
Surbhi Sood is a content writer who writes on education and ethics
