Volume 2 Issue 3 | 2025 | View PDF
Paper Id:IJMSM-V2I3P118
doi: 10.71141/30485037/V2I3P118
The Dynamics of Implementing the Merdeka Curriculum at the Elementary School Level in Indonesia
Nunuk Suryanti, Sukarni, Nurhuda
Citation:
Nunuk Suryanti, Sukarni, Nurhuda, "The Dynamics of Implementing the Merdeka Curriculum at the Elementary School Level in Indonesia" International Journal of Multidisciplinary on Science and Management, Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 154-162, 2025.
Abstract:
The Dynamics of Implementing the Merdeka Curriculum at the Elementary School Level in Pekanbaru City. In Indonesia, the "Merdeka Curriculum" was formed to overcome the shortcomings of the previous curriculum, namely the curriculum 13, which did not adequately meet the needs of literacy and character education. The purpose: to determine the barriers to the implementation of the Merdeka curriculum for primary school teachers. The goal is to provide recommendations to the government regarding the success of the Merdeka curriculum in schools at the basic education level. Methods: This research is qualitative. Data collection using interview and observation techniques. Research informants are elementary school teachers in Pekanbaru, Riau, Indonesia. Data analysis technique uses the Miles & Huberman model, which consists of data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing/verification. Data validity uses method triangulation techniques, namely interviews and observations. Findings: The results showed that the Merdeka Curriculum at the primary school level has not been implemented thoroughly. Some of the obstacles in the implementation in the first year of the Merdeka curriculum are the use of a web-based platform in socializing this curriculum. Teachers have limitations in the use of science and technology; teachers are not ready to learn independently through the web-based Merdeka Belajar platform, so mentors are needed to directly provide training until completion. Conclusion: Merdeka curriculum and teaching platforms will be successful if the parties involved have a proactive attitude in facing progressive and transformative changes. This can be seen from the direction of learning development, which can positively restore productivity in teaching and learning activities.
Keywords:
Merdeka Curriculum, Elementary School, Independent Curriculum.
References:
1. F. Alya, T. Salsabillah, R. A. Putri, and S. Noviyanti, "English Teachers’ Difficulties in Building Character Through Narrative Stories in Elementary Schools in Indonesia," Journal of Education and Counseling, vol. 4, pp. 272–277, 2022.
2. A. Angga, C. Suryana, I. Nurwahidah, A. H. Hernawan, and P. Prihantini, "Comparison of Implementation of 2013 Curriculum and Merdeka Curriculum in Elementary Schools," Basicedu Journal, vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 5877–5889, 2022.
3. Z. Azza, M. Arsanti, and C. Hasanudin, "Dynamics of Learning with the Merdeka Belajar Curriculum," Proceedings of the National Seminar on Research, Community Service, and Dissemination, pp. 223–229, 2023.
4. S. Baro’ah, "Merdeka Belajar Policy as a Strategy for Improving Education Quality,” vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 1063–1073, 2020.
5. A. Bates, "Character Education and the 'Priority of Recognition'," Cambridge Journal of Education, vol. 49, no. 6, pp. 695–710, 2019.
6. M. W. Berkowitz, "What Works in Values Education," International Journal of Educational Research, vol. 50, no. 3, pp. 153–158, 2011.
7. H. T. Elitasari, Y. Rakhmawati, Y. B. S. Safitri, and M. Asip, "Alteration: 2013 Curriculum Becomes Merdeka Curriculum in Elementary Schools," Progres Pendidikan, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 122–130, 2023.
8. R. Fadhli, "Implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum Policy in Elementary Schools,” vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 147–156, 2022.
9. A. Faiz and P. Purwati, "The Role of Teachers in Moral and Character Education," Journal of Education and Development, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 315–318, 2022.
10. P. J. Fensham, "The Future Curriculum for School Science: What Can Be Learnt from the Past?", Research in Science Education, 2016.
11. F. Firdaus, C. Hudaya, and A. Salam, "Effectiveness of Business Incubators in Assisting Business Community," Owner, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 820–828, 2023.
12. T. M. Fuadi, "Merdeka Belajar-Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) Concept: Its Application in Biology Education," Proceedings of the National Biotic Seminar, vol. 3, pp. 183–200, 2020.
13. G. Gedviliene, V. Tutlys, V. Lukosuniene, Zuzevicuite, and Vaiva, "Development of the Profession and Qualifications of Adult Educators in Lithuania in the Context of Adult Education Reforms," International Review of Education, vol. 64, no. 4, 2018.
14. A. Hadi, R. Ngindana, M. S. Kurdi, and M. Sulaiman, "New Paradigm of Merdeka Belajar Curriculum in Schools," Alishlah Journal, vol. 15, pp. 1497–1510, 2023.
15. K. A. Hakam and E. S. Nurdin, "Methods of Internalizing Values to Modify Character Behavior," CV Maulana Media Grafika, 2016.
16. M. Hidayat, R. W. A. Rozak, K. A. Hakam, M. D. Kembara, and M. Parhan, "Character Education in Indonesia: How Is It Internalized and Implemented in Virtual Learning?", Cakrawala Pendidikan, vol. 41, no. 1, pp. 186–198, 2022.
17. D. Irawati, H. Najili, S. Supiana, and Q. Y. Zaqiah, "Merdeka Belajar Curriculum Innovation and Its Application in Education Units," Edumaspul Journal, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 2506–2514, 2022.
18. R. Jennah and R. Rahmaniati, "Video-Based Moral Learning: An Internalization of Values in Early Childhood," Obsesi Journal, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 2733–2741, 2023.
19. K. Kasman and S. K. Lubis, "Teachers’ Performance Evaluation Instrument Designs in the Implementation of the New Learning Paradigm of the Merdeka Curriculum," Jurnal Kependidikan, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 760–775, 2022.
20. M. D. Komalasari and A.-N. Apriani, "Integration of the Living Values Education Program (LVEP) in the Merdeka Curriculum," Elementary School Journal, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 61–69, 2023.
21. I. Kurniawaty, A. Faiz, and P. Purwati, "Strategy to Strengthen the Pancasila Student Profile in Elementary Schools," Edukatif: Journal of Educational Science, vol. 4, no. 4, pp. 5170–5175, 2022.
22. B. M. M. Lombardi and D. G. Oblinger, "Authentic Learning for the 21st Century: An Overview," 2007.
23. T. Lovat and N. Clement, "Quality Teaching and Values Education: Coalescing for Effective Learning," Journal of Moral Education, vol. 37, no. 1, pp. 1–16, 2008.
24. M. Marisa, "Innovation of the Merdeka Belajar Curriculum in Society 5.0 Era," Santhet: Journal of History, Education, and Humanities, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 66–78, 2021.
25. Marlina, "Differentiated Learning Strategy in Inclusive Schools," 2020.
26. D. Narvaez and D. K. Lapsley, "Teaching Moral Character: Two Alternatives for Teacher Education," The Teacher Educator, vol. 43, no. 2, pp. 156–172, 2008.
27. R. D. Osguthorpe, "On the Possible Forms a Relationship Might Take Between the Moral Character of a Teacher and the Moral Development of a Student," Teachers College Record, vol. 111, no. 1, pp. 1–26, 2009.
28. J. Paige, "The 21st Century Skills Movement," Educational Leadership, vol. 9, no. 67, pp. 1–11, 2009.
29. M. A. Pike, P. Hart, S.-A. S. Paul, T. Lickona, and P. Clarke, "Character Development Through the Curriculum: Teaching and Assessing the Understanding and Practice of Virtue," Journal of Curriculum Studies, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 449–466, 2021.
30. D. W. Prasiska, N. Ngatmini, and Y. Mintarsih, "Strategy to Realize the Pancasila Student Profile in Character Education Through Narrative Texts in SMPN 36 Semarang," Didaktik Journal, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 1450–1458, 2023.
31. D. A. M. M. O. Priantini, N. K. Surani, and I. K. S. Adnyana, "Analysis of Merdeka Curriculum and Merdeka Learning Platform to Realize Quality Education," Journal of Quality Assurance, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 238–244, 2022.
32. N. Rachmawati, A. Marini, M. Nafiah, and I. Nurasiah, "Project to Strengthen Pancasila Student Profile in the Implementation of Prototype Curriculum in Driving Schools at Elementary School Level," Basicedu Journal, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 3613–3625, 2022.
33. G. Santoso, A. Damayanti, M. Murod, S. Imawati, and M. Asbari, "Implementation of Merdeka Curriculum Through Project Literacy to Strengthen Pancasila Student Profile," Transformative Education Journal (Jupetra), vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 84–90, 2023.
34. R. Saputra, S. Rochmiyati, and B. H. C. Khosiyono, "Realizing the Sixth Pancasila Student Profile in Project Activities: Making Simple Pencil Holders from Used Plastic Bottles," Elementary School Journal, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 87–98, 2023.
35. F. F. K. Sari, S. Sukarno, and T. Murwaningsih, "The New Paradigm of Merdeka Curriculum: Implementation of Pancasila Education Subject in Elementary School," International Journal of Elementary Education, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 79–88, 2023.
36. D. Supriatna, S. Nadirah, A. Aniati, A. Rahman, M. Aina, and A. Saefudin, "Implementation of Merdeka Belajar Curriculum in Elementary Schools: How Is Teachers’ Perception?," International Journal of Education, Vocational and Social Science, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 30–40, 2023.
37. N. Yunaini, M. Prabowo, N. Md Hassan, and A. K. Hermansyah, "The Concept of the Merdeka Learning Curriculum (Merdeka Belajar) in Elementary Schools Viewed from Progressivism Educational Philosophy," Scientific Journal of PGMI, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 95–105, 2022.