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The implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum in madrasahs, guided by the Ministry of Religious Affairs Regulation (KMA) Number 347 in 2022, offers both advantages and challenges. This policy empowers madrasahs in Indonesia to develop education unit-level curricula that cater to the specific needs and management of education. The advantages of implementing the Merdeka Curriculum lie in its ability to respect and enhance Islamic education. Madrasahs can emphasize religious understanding, Quranic studies, and character education, enabling students to deepen their religious knowledge and strengthen their religious identities. Moreover, the curriculum's flexibility allows madrasahs to tailor educational experiences to the needs, social contexts, and local cultures of their students, making learning more relevant and meaningful. By incorporating practical and contextual subjects, the Merdeka Curriculum facilitates the development of broader skills, equipping students with academic, social, and life skills essential for their holistic growth. However, challenges arise in implementing the Merdeka Curriculum. Educators need comprehensive training and professional development to effectively design and implement a flexible curriculum. Ensuring consistent education standards across madrasahs is also crucial, as the freedom to determine curricula may result in variations. Integration with the national curriculum is essential to ensure that fundamental subjects such as literacy, numeracy, and general knowledge are adequately covered.

This study aims to analyse the implementation of literacy programs in three primary schools, namely SDN 8 Bandar Laksamana, SDN 14 Teluk Mesjid and SDN 92 Pekanbaru. The research method used was observation and document analysis of literacy activities conducted by these schools. The results show that the three schools have implemented various types of literacy, such as literacy in reading and writing, digital literacy, science literacy, financial literacy, numeracy literacy and cultural-civic literacy. Through habituation, development and learning, students are given the opportunity to develop literacy skills holistically. Keywords relevant to this study are literacy, literacy program, primary school, observation, document analysis. This study shows that the successful implementation of literacy programs is supported by the commitment and efforts of schools in providing varied literacy experiences and actively involving students. The literacy programs help students improve their skills in reading, writing, using digital technology, understanding science, managing finances, understanding mathematics, and appreciating culture and citizenship. The findings provide important insights for educators and policy makers in improving the quality of basic education and students' literacy development.