Publication Search

This study aims to analyze the implementation of Dayak local wisdom values in the Merdeka Curriculum at public elementary schools in Pulang Pisau Regency, Central Kalimantan. Dayak local wisdom, which encompasses values such as mutual cooperation, solidarity, tolerance, environmental awareness, and respect for cultural traditions, plays a significant role in shaping students' character amid the challenges of globalization and the disruptive era. This research employs a qualitative approach using a case study method. The research participants include school principals, teachers, students, and educational stakeholders from several public elementary schools in Pulang Pisau Regency. Data are collected through observations, in-depth interviews, documentation, and literature reviews. Data analysis is conducted using an interactive model consisting of data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The findings are expected to provide a comprehensive description of how Dayak local wisdom values are integrated into the planning, implementation, and evaluation of learning activities within the Merdeka Curriculum framework. Furthermore, the study seeks to identify supporting and inhibiting factors affecting the implementation of local wisdom in educational practices and to formulate strategic recommendations for strengthening character education and preserving local culture in elementary schools. The results are expected to serve as a reference for educational policy development that promotes cultural preservation and enhances the quality of learning in accordance with the socio-cultural context of local communities.

In this study, it is planned to analyze teachers' and students' perceptions regarding the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum at IRE classes in MTs Tanada. In terms of method used, this study is a qualitative study carried out with field studies in which methods of observation, interviews, and documentation are included. According to the findings obtained from the study, the Merdeka Curriculum has brought about changes in the process of PAI teaching in terms of active participation of students, using digital media in learning processes, discussion activities through the P5 process. While teachers see the Merdeka Curriculum as flexible and supportive of creative learning, students see the lessons taught within the scope of this curriculum as diverse and attractive. Although the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum shows some positive aspects, it has also faced a number of challenges related to different understandings between teachers, regulations, difficulty in assessing attitudes, and the heavy workload of students. This study concluded that the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum in Islamic Education in MTs Tanada was quite successful despite the need for improvements in teaching skills.

The quality of Catholic Religious Education learning is an important aspect in shaping students’ faith, character, knowledge, and religious life skills. However, the learning process at SMK Negeri 1 Talibura still faces various challenges, particularly in the areas of spiritual attitudes, social attitudes, Catholic religious knowledge, and religious life skills. This study aims to describe the implementation of the Independent Learning Curriculum (Merdeka Belajar Curriculum) and its contribution to improving the quality of Catholic Religious Education learning at SMK Negeri 1 Talibura. The research employed a qualitative approach with a descriptive research design. Data were collected through observations, interviews, and documentation involving the principal, Catholic Religious Education teachers, students, and parents. Data analysis was conducted through data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The results show that the implementation of the Independent Learning Curriculum has been carried out effectively through learning planning, learning implementation, learning assessment, and the Pancasila Student Profile Strengthening Project (P5). This implementation has had a positive impact on the learning process, outputs, and outcomes. Students demonstrated improvements in spiritual attitudes, social attitudes, Catholic religious knowledge, and religious life skills, as well as positive behavioral changes in their daily lives. The findings imply that the Independent Learning Curriculum can serve as an effective strategy for improving the quality of Catholic Religious Education learning in a holistic manner.

The Merdeka Curriculum introduces a paradigm shift in Indonesia's educational assessment system, moving from an outcome-oriented approach toward one that positions evaluation as an integral part of the learning process itself. This article examines how learning evaluation is implemented as an instrument to improve the quality of student learning within the Merdeka Curriculum framework. This study employs a library research method, analyzing relevant policy documents, regulations, and academic literature. The findings indicate that the Merdeka Curriculum shifts the focus of evaluation from mere measurement (assessment of learning) toward assessment as learning and assessment for learning, realized through three main forms of assessment: diagnostic, formative, and summative. Proper implementation of these three forms enables teachers to map students' individual learning needs, provide continuous feedback, and design differentiated instruction that is more relevant to learners' characteristics. However, field implementation still faces several challenges, including uneven teacher understanding, time constraints, and limited technical training in designing authentic assessment instruments. This article recommends strengthening teacher competence, providing practical technical guidance, and offering continuous mentoring as strategic steps to ensure that learning evaluation truly functions as an instrument for improving learning quality, rather than merely an administrative formality.

Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC) has become a key objective of English language education; however, its implementation in Indonesia remains insufficiently understood. This study investigates the alignment between ICC expectations in the Kurikulum Merdeka, English textbooks, and classroom practices in Indonesian senior high schools. An exploratory sequential mixed methods design was employed, involving document analysis of four government-issued English textbooks for grades X–XII, classroom observations in 15 schools across three provinces, a survey of 87 English teachers, and in-depth interviews with 18 teachers and 36 students. The findings reveal a three-level gap. First, the curriculum acknowledges ICC but lacks clear and measurable operational guidelines. Second, textbooks predominantly emphasize Anglo-American culture (64.8% of cultural content) while providing limited representation of Indonesian and global cultures. Third, 78.2% of teachers reported not explicitly integrating cultural dimensions into English instruction, resulting in stereotypical and culturally limited classroom practices. To address these issues, the study proposes the Triangulated Cultural Literacy (TCL) framework, integrating reflection on learners’ own culture, balanced exploration of target cultures, and intercultural negotiation. The findings highlight the need to operationalize ICC in the curriculum, improve textbook cultural representation, and strengthen teachers’ intercultural pedagogical competence.

This study aims to map the trends, integration forms, effectiveness, and contribution of ethnomathematics in elementary school mathematics learning toward national cultural preservation. A systematic literature review (SLR) approach following the PRISMA 2020 protocol was employed. Searches across four academic databases (Scopus, Google Scholar, CrossRef, and Semantic Scholar) yielded 1,176 articles, from which 30 articles met the inclusion criteria. Results indicate that ethnomathematics research in elementary schools has increased significantly during 2023–2026, particularly following the implementation of Kurikulum Merdeka. The three most dominant forms of integration are digital modules and media (53.3%), traditional games (33.3%), and ethnomathematics-based worksheets (13.3%). Geometry and measurement is the most researched mathematics topic (50.0%), and conceptual understanding shows the most significant improvement (40.0%). Beyond improving mathematics achievement, ethnomathematics integration contributes to cultural preservation through cultural contextualization in learning (60.0%), strengthening cultural identity and values (26.7%), and active local cultural preservation (10.0%). The study recommends teacher training, curriculum policy strengthening, cross-sector collaboration, and further research to sustain ethnomathematics implementation in Indonesian elementary schools.

This article examines the dialogue between John Calvin’s educational thought and the Merdeka Curriculum within the context of Christian Religious Education (PAK) in Indonesia. Employing a qualitative-comparative approach with descriptive analysis, this study traces the points of convergence and tension between Calvin’s educational principles particularly the concept of imago Dei, holistic education, and the God-centered purpose of education and the principles of the Merdeka Curriculum such as flexibility, differentiated learning, and the Profil Pelajar Pancasila (Pancasila Student Profile). The analysis reveals significant convergence in terms of respect for the potential and uniqueness of learners, holistic educational orientation, and the role of teachers as facilitators and character formers. However, fundamental tensions also exist regarding Calvin’s theocentric theological foundation vis-à-vis the secular Pancasila foundation, the concept of discipline and authority versus student freedom, and the ultimate goal of education glorifying God versus forming the Pancasila Student Profile. Based on these findings, this article offers practical recommendations for PAK curriculum design based on the Merdeka Curriculum, a Kingdom of God-nuanced project-based learning approach, holistic assessment, and Christian character formation within the Profil Pelajar Pancasila framework. This research contributes to filling the gap in studies that dialogue the Reformed theological tradition with contemporary Indonesian national education policy.

The Merdeka Curriculum, as a new educational policy in Indonesia, emphasizes the cultivation of the Pancasila Student Profile, which is rich in citizenship values. This study aims to analyze the application of citizenship values in Pancasila and Civic Education (PPKn) learning within the framework of the Merdeka Curriculum at the high school level. This research employs a qualitative descriptive method, collecting data through classroom observations, semi-structured interviews with PPKn teachers, and analysis of teaching modules and project-based learning documents (P5). The findings indicate that the application of citizenship values is primarily integrated through Project-Based Learning to Strengthen the Pancasila Student Profile (P5). Values such as mutual cooperation (gotong royong), critical reasoning (bernalar kritis), and global diversity (berkebinekaan global) are the most frequently emphasized. However, teachers face challenges, including the need to adapt pedagogical approaches, difficulties in assessing value-based outcomes authentically, and a lack of specific reference materials aligned with the new curriculum. The implication of this research is the urgent need for structured professional development for teachers and the development of comprehensive teaching guides to ensure the effective and standardized implementation of citizenship values in PPKn learning across all educational units.

Guru di sekolah dasar Tahfidz sering kali menghadapi tantangan besar dalam mengintegrasikan pengajaran Al-Qur’an dengan kemampuan pedagogik modern yang mendukung pembelajaran aktif. Kegiatan Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat (PKM) ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan kompetensi pedagogik dan profesional para guru di SD Tahfidz Ibnu Umar Karawang melalui pelatihan metode pengajaran yang bermakna dan inovatif. Permasalahan utama yang ditemukan di mitra sasaran adalah keterbatasan guru dalam menerapkan pendekatan PAIKEM serta kesulitan dalam menyusun perangkat ajar yang adaptif terhadap prinsip Kurikulum Merdeka. Metode yang digunakan dalam kegiatan ini adalah kombinasi ceramah interaktif, workshop penyusunan modul/RPP, dan praktik langsung melalui sesi microteaching. Pelatihan dilaksanakan dalam tiga sesi utama: (1) pemahaman karakteristik peserta didik usia 7–12 tahun berdasarkan aspek kognitif, sosial-emosional, dan psikomotorik; (2) desain pembelajaran bermakna (meaningful learning); serta (3) strategi pembelajaran aktif seperti Problem-Based Learning (PBL), Discovery Learning, dan pembelajaran kooperatif. Hasil kegiatan menunjukkan adanya peningkatan pemahaman 15 guru peserta dalam menciptakan lingkungan belajar yang berpusat pada siswa (student-centered) serta kemampuan mengintegrasikan teknologi pembelajaran modern (IPTEKS) seperti Canva dan media interaktif dalam proses KBM. Luaran dari program ini mencakup modul pelatihan pedagogik, publikasi artikel ilmiah, dan video diseminasi hasil implementasi metode pembelajaran.

This study is intended to reveal the content of the Pancasila Rahmatan Lil Alamin Student Profile in the Akidah Akhlak textbook for Islamic Junior High Schools based on the Merdeka Curriculum. Through a literature study approach, this research reveals the textbook combines theological, philosophical, and social practice aspects to internalize values ​​such as faith, critical thinking, and harmony in society. The results show that the Akidah Akhlak textbook successfully links spiritual intelligence with skills needed in the 21st century, thus producing students who are intelligent, spiritually strong, and responsible in society. This integration serves as a strong foundation for producing Indonesian students who reflect national identity and universal values ​​in Islam.

This study examines the integration of Christian values into the Merdeka Curriculum for Christian Religious Education (PAK) in junior high schools (SMP), focusing on the challenges and strategies for its implementation. The Merdeka Curriculum, introduced in 2022, offers flexibility in instructional design; however, its implementation in the field of PAK requires specific adaptations to maintain the relevance of Christian values such as love, justice, and responsibility. This study employs a descriptive qualitative approach using library research combined with empirical content analysis of various case studies in Indonesian Christian schools. The findings indicate that the primary challenges include resource constraints, the readiness of PAK teachers, technological infrastructure gaps, and the influence of secular digital culture. Effective strategies include the development of a contextual curriculum based on Christian values, the utilization of digital technology in learning, the enhancement of teachers’ professional competencies, and collaboration between schools, families, and churches. The implications of this study suggest that the integration of Christian values into the Merdeka Curriculum can foster the holistic character of junior high school students, equipping them with integrity, resilience, and the ability to face the challenges of the digital age.

Formal education systems are often trapped in rigid standardization that actually shackles students' creativity and personal uniqueness. This issue raises questions about the extent to which individual freedom is accommodated in modern curricula that tend to be pragmatic. Departing from this issue, this study aims to explore the relevance of Jean-Jacques Rousseau's Romanticism which prioritizes affection and the general will in the context of education. Rousseau argued that the development of science and culture often acts as a chain that restrains humans, thus he proposed the concept of natural education that allows children's instincts to develop freely without damaging cultural intervention. Using qualitative methods based on literature review, this research identified a strong common ground between Rousseau's vision and Indonesia's Freedom to Learn policy. The study reveals that both share a common philosophical foundation: restoring educational sovereignty to institutions and students, allowing them to independently develop their potential, talents, and interests. Therefore, synchronizing Rousseau's ideas with Freedom to Learn serves as a crucial foundation for creating a higher-quality and more humane national education ecosystem.

This research aims to describe the implementation of the Pancasila Student Profile Strengthening Project (P5) in shaping student character at SD Negeri 160 Palembang. As a core component of the Independent Curriculum (Kurikulum Merdeka), P5 is designed to reinforce the fundamental values of Pancasila in students.This study employs a qualitative case study method. Data were collected through direct observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation involving the principal, vice-principal of curriculum, classroom teachers, students, and parents. The results indicate that P5 implementation is carried out through three systematic stages: planning (team formation and theme selection), execution (applying experiential learning that encourages collaboration), and assessment. The three primary values emphasized are faith and morality, respecting differences, and togetherness. Despite challenges such as time constraints, synchronization of materials across subjects, and the need for teacher training, the study concludes that P5 is an effective instrument for character education. To optimize results, it is recommended to enhance program monitoring and align the conceptual understanding of P5 among educators. Overall, SD Negeri 160 Palembang has demonstrated a serious commitment to integrating P5 as a means of positive character building.

Social Studies (IPS) learning at the elementary school level plays a strategic role in shaping students’ understanding of social, cultural, and economic life, as well as national values. This study aims to analyze the differences between the 2013 Curriculum and the Merdeka Curriculum in IPS learning, including planning, implementation, the use of methods and media, and the assessment of learning outcomes. The research employed a descriptive qualitative approach with a case study, collecting data from curriculum documents, lesson plans (RPP), syllabi, classroom observations, interviews with teachers and school principals, and student questionnaires. The results indicate that the 2013 Curriculum provides a clear learning structure, detailed lesson plans, and systematic material organization that facilitates teachers, but it is less flexible and less contextualized for students. In contrast, the Merdeka Curriculum emphasizes flexibility, relevance of content to the local context, innovative methods such as project-based learning and blended learning, as well as holistic assessment focusing on critical thinking skills, social literacy, and student character. The implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum can enhance students’ learning interest, active participation, understanding of social concepts, and social awareness; however, its effectiveness depends on teacher readiness, school support, facilities, and consistency in assessment. These findings suggest that selecting an appropriate IPS curriculum should consider a balance between structure and flexibility, content relevance, teacher competence, and supporting facilities.

This study aims to describe the implementation of the curriculum in mathematics learning at Al Ihsan Yapis Kotaraja Elementary School in the context of the Merdeka Curriculum. The focus of the study includes learning planning, learning implementation, the use of media and learning resources, the role of teachers and schools, and learning evaluation. The research uses a qualitative descriptive approach with data collection techniques through questionnaires, interviews, observations, and documentation. Data analysis was carried out through data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing using triangulation techniques to ensure data validity. The results show that the implementation of the curriculum in mathematics learning has been quite effective. Teachers apply student-centered learning through differentiated learning and various learning strategies, such as lectures, discussions, and deep learning approaches. The most widely used media and learning resources are printed books and the internet. Teachers and schools play an important role in creating active learning and supporting the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum. However, learning evaluation is still dominated by written tests, so it does not fully reflect authentic assessment in accordance with learning objectives. Therefore, improvements are needed in the application of authentic assessment and the integration of learning objectives, learning strategies, and assessment techniques so that curriculum implementation can run more optimally.

This paper aims to describe the implementation and development of the Merdeka Curriculum at SD IT Permata Hati Entrop, an Integrated Islamic Elementary School. As an educational institution with a vision of integrating general knowledge with Islamic values, SD IT Permata Hati adapts the national curriculum to create learning that is more flexible, focused on essential content, and character-based. This curriculum is developed to optimize students’ potential holistically, encompassing cognitive, affective, and psychomotor aspects through the strengthening of the Pancasila Student Profile.The main focus of curriculum development at this school consists of three pillars: innovative intracurricular learning, the Project for Strengthening the Pancasila Student Profile (P5), and extracurricular activities that support students’ interests and talents. In its implementation, the school applies active learning methods such as Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and contextual learning linked to daily life and Islamic principles. The evaluation process is conducted through formative and summative assessments that are humanistic and reflective in nature. The outcomes of this development are expected to equip students with 21st-century skills and strong religious character in accordance with the demands of the times.

The implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum requires teachers to possess adequate competence in developing contextual and meaningful Madrasah Lesson Plans (RPM). One of the main challenges lies in teachers’ ability to integrate deep learning approaches into instructional planning. This community service program aimed to enhance the competence of teachers at SD IT Al-Markazul Islami in developing deep learning–based Merdeka Curriculum lesson plans. The program employed a structured and participatory approach through training and mentoring activities, including conceptual presentations, group discussions, and hands-on practice in lesson plan development. Evaluation was conducted using a competence questionnaire administered to 20 participating teachers in the pretest and posttest stages. The data were analyzed descriptively. The results indicated that teachers’ competence scores in the pretest ranged from 54 to 63, with a mean score of 58.7, which fell into the moderate category. Following the intervention, posttest scores increased to a range of 89–97, with a mean score of 92.9, categorized as high. The improvement in scores ranged from 33 to 35 points for each participant. These findings demonstrate that the training and mentoring activities were effective in enhancing teachers’ competence in developing lesson plans aligned with the principles of the Merdeka Curriculum and deep learning approaches.

Education in Indonesia continues to face significant challenges in transforming its curriculum to meet 21st-century competency demands, especially with the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum, which emphasizes flexibility, contextual learning, and a student-centered approach. This study aims to analyze teachers’ roles in implementing student-centered learning, identify the challenges they encounter, and examine strategies used to address these obstacles. Using a qualitative library research method, the study reviews primary and secondary literature related to student-centered learning theory, learning experiences, authentic assessment, and the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum. Findings show that teachers serve as the central factor in ensuring the success of active and student-centered learning. Those who are adaptive and innovative are able to design meaningful learning experiences even when confronted with limited facilities, diverse student needs, and classroom management constraints. Nevertheless, many teachers still struggle with differentiated instruction, authentic assessment, and the flexible learning management required by the Merdeka Curriculum. This study underscores the need to improve teachers’ pedagogical competence, provide sufficient learning resources, and develop responsive educational policies to strengthen the overall implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum in schools.

This research aims to determine the extent to which interactive quizzes can help improve students' understanding of Economics lessons in the Merdeka Curriculum, which focuses on a Deep Learning approach implemented at SMA Negeri 4 Surakarta. The results show that quite a few students have difficulty grasping economic concepts. The lack of participation and learning motivation, combined with the dominance of the lecture method, makes the learning process tend to be one-way. Conversely, the application of digital technology by educators is still very limited. This research uses a descriptive qualitative approach, collecting data thru observation, interviews, and documentation. A total of five students from the eleventh grade were selected based on purposive sampling techniques who had already taken economics lessons. The results show that the quiz format contributes to increasing students' interest, attention, and participation due to the presence of visual elements, screen animation, and a game-like atmosphere. However, obstacles such as slow internet connectivity or a slightly longer completion time than estimated did arise, although they did not hinder overall learning activities. Essentially, implementing this type of quiz aligns with the direction of the Merdeka Curriculum, which emphasizes in-depth conceptual understanding while also encouraging self-study habits, training the ability to reflect on the material, and creating a classroom atmosphere that tends to be more dynamic.

The Merdeka Curriculum demands the development of teaching materials that are adaptive, contextual, and relevant to the demands of 21st-century learning. This article aims to examine the strategy for developing teaching materials based on the Merdeka Curriculum that can support the strengthening of 21st-century competencies, such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and digital literacy. The method used is a literature review of various studies related to the Merdeka Curriculum, teaching material development, and 21st-century learning. The findings show that effective teaching material development must consider the integration of local context, the use of digital technology, and project- and problem-based approaches. In addition, it is also important to conduct continuous reflection and evaluation in the teaching material development process. With the right strategy, teaching materials based on the Merdeka Curriculum can become a key tool in creating meaningful, flexible learning that aligns with the needs of 21st-century learners. Through the implementation of this strategy, it is hoped that a more effective learning process that aligns with the times can be created.