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."