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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.

Background: Digital transformation in arts education has introduced new paradigms in pedagogical tools, yet the specific role of artificial intelligence in fostering creativity within dance education remains under-explored. Objective: This study aims to analyze the contribution of AI Motion technology to enhancing the creative thinking skills of junior high school students in dance learning. Method: A systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A total of 30 peer-reviewed articles published between 2023 and 2025 were selected from databases including Scopus, ScienceDirect, ERIC, Google Scholar, and Garuda. Data were analyzed using the qualitative descriptive framework of Miles and Huberman. Results: The findings demonstrate that AI Motion technology significantly improves movement accuracy by up to 41% and fosters four key dimensions of creativity: fluency, flexibility, originality, and elaboration. The technology provides real-time feedback and visualization, enabling students to transition from passive imitation to autonomous movement exploration. Conclusion: The integration of AI Motion is strategically aligned with the Indonesian Merdeka Curriculum, which emphasizes differentiated learning and 21st-century skills. However, successful implementation is contingent upon overcoming challenges related to teacher digital competency and infrastructure accessibility. This study provides a conceptual framework for modernizing arts pedagogy through AI-assisted creative exploration.

 Education in the 21st century demands a paradigm shift from passive learning to collaborative and student-centered learning, in line with the Merdeka Curriculum’s emphasis on the value of mutual cooperation. However, challenges arise due to the younger generation’s heavy reliance on technology, which tends to foster individualism. This study aims to examine the implementation of cooperative learning strategies as a solution to foster social interaction and student engagement. Cooperative learning strategies constitute a conceptual framework for a series of learning activities within heterogeneous small groups to achieve shared goals. Through a literature review, it was found that the implementation of these strategies involves systematic steps ranging from group formation, problem-solving discussions, to group recognition. The results of the analysis indicate that cooperative strategies have significant advantages in enhancing students’ self-confidence, independence, responsibility, and academic achievement. Although they have limitations regarding time management and the need for specific skills among educators, these strategies are considered highly relevant for fostering students’ character to be inclusive, tolerant, and capable of collaborating amidst differences.

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.

The rapid advancement of digital technology has transformed educational practices while simultaneously posing challenges to the preservation of local cultural values. This study aims to develop and evaluate a digital ethnopedagogical reconstruction model that integrates local historical narratives of North Sumatra into the Merdeka Curriculum within the Primary School Teacher Education (PGSD) program. Employing a Research and Development (R&D) approach with the 4D model, this study utilized a mixed-methods design involving document analysis, interviews, observations, expert validation, and field trials. The findings reveal that local historical narratives—comprising folkloric legends, educational acculturation, and the heritage of local sultanates—possess strong ethnopedagogical potential when reconstructed through interactive digital media. Quantitative results demonstrate a significant 38% increase in students’ ethnopedagogical understanding, supported by high content validity (89%) and media feasibility (92%) scores. Qualitative findings further indicate enhanced cultural awareness, historical empathy, and learner engagement. The study concludes that the effectiveness of digital ethnopedagogical innovation is primarily determined by its pedagogical integration within the learner-centered framework of the Merdeka Curriculum. This research contributes a sustainable model for culturally grounded digital pedagogy in teacher education.

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 systematically analyze the implementation of formative and summative assessments in Grade IV Islamic Religious Education (PAI) at SDN 2 Konda within the framework of the Merdeka Curriculum. The research employs a qualitative approach with a case study design to obtain an in-depth and contextual understanding of classroom assessment practices. Data were collected through classroom observations, in-depth interviews with teachers, the principal, and parents, as well as an analysis of curriculum documents and various assessment instruments used throughout the learning process. The data were analyzed using thematic coding techniques supported by NVivo software, guided by the Formative Summative Continuum framework to examine the alignment and integration between both assessment types. The findings indicate that teachers have regularly implemented formative assessment through digital quizzes, direct observation, reflective discussions, and continuous feedback, which have increased student participation and strengthened competency mastery. Meanwhile, summative assessment was conducted at the end of the semester through written tests and project-based assignments; however, it still primarily emphasizes cognitive aspects and has not fully integrated formative assessment evidence. The study also identifies limitations in the use of multidimensional rubrics, continuous portfolio management, and meaningful parental involvement in the overall evaluation process.

Science education in elementary schools requires the active involvement of students through meaningful learning experiences. One of the essential subjects in fourth grade elementary school is the growth and development of animals and plants. However, science education is still often conducted conventionally, so that students' scientific process skills have not developed optimally. This study aims to analyze and describe the application of the Project-Based Learning (PjBL) model in science learning projects on the growth and development of animals and plants with the support of Seesaw and Flashcard Quizlet digital media through a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach. The research method used SLR with a descriptive qualitative approach to relevant scientific articles published between 2019 and 2025. The results of the study show that the application of PjBL can increase student learning activity, scientific process skills, and understanding of science concepts. The use of Seesaw was effective as a medium for project documentation and reflection, while Flashcard Quizlet helped reinforce concepts and formative evaluation. Thus, the integration of PjBL, Seesaw, and Quizlet can be an innovative learning alternative that is relevant to the Merdeka Curriculum and the needs of elementary school students.

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 systematic literature review examines the implementation of Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) in Indonesian senior high schools. Following PRISMA guidelines, nine studies published between 2021 and 2025 were analyzed to identify the benefits and challenges of this approach. The findings reveal that CLIL effectively enhances student engagement, motivation, and the integrated development of subject knowledge and English proficiency. However, implementation is often hindered by limited teacher readiness, insufficient collaboration between subject and language teachers, and a lack of appropriate assessment methods. Analysis using the 4Cs Framework shows that while Content and Communication are prioritized, Cognition and Culture receive less explicit attention. The study implies that successful CLIL sustainability requires continuous professional development and stronger institutional support within the Merdeka Curriculum. These results provide a strategic basis for educators and policymakers to optimize bilingual instruction in Indonesia.

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.

This study compares curriculum strategies in Indonesia, Finland, Singapore, Japan, and the United States to identify common goals and distinctive approaches in facing global educational challenges. Using a qualitative descriptive method through library research, data were collected from academic journals, policy documents, and official reports. The findings show that all five countries view the curriculum as a strategic tool for developing human resources with 21st-century skills, such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication, while also emphasizing character education. Indonesia's curriculum has evolved into the flexible and student-centered Merdeka Curriculum, though challenges remain in teacher readiness and regional disparities. Finland applies a trust-based and holistic approach centered on equality and teacher autonomy. Singapore implements a systematic and adaptive curriculum guided by the vision of "Thinking Schools, Learning Nation." Japan emphasizes stability, discipline, and moral education, while the United States adopts a decentralized and innovative system focused on inclusivity and competency-based learning.

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.

This study was motivated by the important role of the school community in supporting the successful implementation of the Pancasila Student Profile as part of the Merdeka Curriculum. The purpose of this study was to analyze how principals, teachers, students, parents, and school committees contribute to the development of the six dimensions of the Pancasila Student Profile. The research used a qualitative approach with a case study design, involving in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation studies conducted at a secondary school during the period from August to October 2025. The results showed that the development of all dimensions of the Pancasila Student Profile was greatly influenced by the quality of collaboration within the school community. The principal plays a role in strengthening school policies and culture, teachers become facilitators in project-based learning, students take an active role as drivers of collaborative activities, while parents and committees provide moral support and program facilities. These findings imply that the success of strengthening the Pancasila Student Profile does not only depend on the curriculum structure, but also on the synergy of the school ecosystem that is created in a sustainable manner.

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.

Islamic education in Indonesia plays a strategic role in shaping students’ religious character as well as their national identity, and therefore cannot be separated from the ideological foundations of Pancasila and the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI). Islamic education functions not only as a means of transmitting religious values, but also as a medium for internalizing national ideology in line with the goals of national education. This study aims to analyze the ideological foundations of Islamic education based on the values of tauhid, Pancasila, and NKRI, as well as to examine their relevance to national education policies and curricula. This research employs a qualitative approach using a library research design. The data were obtained from secondary sources, including scholarly books, journal articles, education policy documents, and relevant legislation. Data collection was conducted through documentation studies, while data analysis applied a descriptive-analytical method to systematically examine the interrelationships among concepts. The findings indicate that the ideological values of Pancasila are substantively aligned with Islamic teachings, particularly in the aspects of divinity, humanity, unity, deliberation, and social justice. Within the framework of NKRI, Islamic education contributes significantly to the formation of religious-nationalist character and the strengthening of national integration. The integration of Pancasila values, religious moderation, and Islam rahmatan lil ‘alamin into national education policies and curricula, particularly through the Merdeka Curriculum and the Pancasila Student Profile, reflects a systematic effort to develop Islamic education that is adaptive and contextual. The implications of this study emphasize that strengthening the ideological foundations of Islamic education is a crucial prerequisite for producing learners who are faithful, knowledgeable, morally upright, and responsible citizens of Indonesia.

This study reviews the implementation of Content and Language Learning (CLIL) in Indonesia senior high school through a systematic review. The review aim to identify research trends, report benefits, and key challenges of CLIL in Indonesia education context. Following the FRISMA guidelines, nine peer-reviewed studies published between 2021 and 2025 were selected from reputable academic databases. The analysis focuses in research design, learning outcomes, and implementation n issues, and it applies the CLIL 4Cs framework—Content, Communication, Cognition, and Culture—as the main analytical lens. The finding indicates that CLIL has appositive impact on student engagement, learning   motivation, and better understanding of content and increased confidence in using English in academic context. CLIL also support active learning and encourages higher-order thinking skills. However, the review reveal several challenges that limit effective implementation. These include limited teacher readiness, insufficient English proficiency among teachers and students, lack of collaboration between subject teachers and English teachers, nd difficulties is assessing content and language learning simultaneously. Analysis the 4Cs framework show that Content and Communication are the most emphasized componet in current CLIL practices, while Cognition receives moderate attention and culture is rarely adressed explicitly. The study concludes that although CLIL is feasible and beneficialfor Indonesia senior high schools, its long-term succes depend on continues teacher professiional development, stronger institutional support, and clearer integration within the Merdeka Curriculum. Theis review provide useful insights for educators, researcher, and policemakers to improve bilingual and CLIL-based instruction in Indonesia.

This study's objective is to describe the implementation of teaching modules as a Christian Religious Education learning strategy at Palangka Raya Christian High School. Teaching modules are used as learning tools in the Merdeka Curriculum to help teachers design structured, contextual, and student-centered learning. Seventeen students in the tenth grade served as research subjects for this study, which employed a descriptive qualitative method. Data collection was carried out thru observation of the learning process, analysis of learning documents, and evaluation results of student learning. The study's findings show that the implementation of teaching modules is able to support the systematic implementation of learning, increase students' active participation in discussions and group activities, and help achieve fairly good assessment results. Nevertheless, some constraints were found in the implementation of learning, such as time limitations and supporting facilities. Overall, the implementation of the teaching module has positive implications for improving the quality of the Christian Religious Education learning process and outcomes, and has the potential to be developed sustainably to shape students' character based on Christian values.  

This community service activity was implemented at SDN 3 Tangkiling to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset among elementary school students by integrating financial literacy and exploring creative professions. The program emphasized enhancing students' comprehension of fundamental financial principles through socialization activities and rudimentary buying and selling simulations using play money. The “Mini Shop” activity was implemented to facilitate students' learning about the value of money, the distinction between needs and wants, and the importance of saving. This activity was designed using an active and contextual learning approach, which aligns with the characteristics of elementary school students and the principles of the Merdeka Curriculum, emphasizing character building, independence, and creativity. Additionally, the exploration of creative professions was undertaken through the implementation of role-playing and interactive discussions, thereby introducing a variety of occupations and cultivating an interest in entrepreneurship from an early age. The outcomes of the activity indicated that students exhibited increased enthusiasm and comprehension of fundamental financial concepts and demonstrated an interest in elementary entrepreneurial activities. It is anticipated that this program will evolve into an inspirational learning model for instilling financial literacy and entrepreneurial spirit at the elementary school level.

This community service activity was implemented at SDN 3 Tangkiling to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset among elementary school students by integrating financial literacy and exploring creative professions. The program emphasized enhancing students' comprehension of fundamental financial principles through socialization activities and rudimentary buying and selling simulations using play money. The “Mini Shop” activity was implemented to facilitate students' learning about the value of money, the distinction between needs and wants, and the importance of saving. This activity was designed using an active and contextual learning approach, which aligns with the characteristics of elementary school students and the principles of the Merdeka Curriculum, emphasizing character building, independence, and creativity. Additionally, the exploration of creative professions was undertaken through the implementation of role-playing and interactive discussions, thereby introducing a variety of occupations and cultivating an interest in entrepreneurship from an early age. The outcomes of the activity indicated that students exhibited increased enthusiasm and comprehension of fundamental financial concepts and demonstrated an interest in elementary entrepreneurial activities. It is anticipated that this program will evolve into an inspirational learning model for instilling financial literacy and entrepreneurial spirit at the elementary school level.