Optimizing Merdeka Curriculum in West Aceh: Challenges and Opportunities in Education

Authors

  • Zikriati Zikriati STAIN Teungku Dirundeng Meulaboh
  • Samsuar Arani STAIN Teungku Dirundeng Meulaboh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32939/tarbawi.v20i1.3765

Keywords:

Educational Implementation, Freedom in Education, Merdeka Curriculum, Opportunities and Challenges, Quality Improvement in Education

Abstract

This study evaluates the implementation of the Independent Curriculum in West Aceh District and its significant implications for local education policies. Through comprehensive regional-level analysis, this study explores its potential impact on enhancing educational quality. This research uses survey methods, interviews, and document analysis to understand better the dynamics of the Independent Curriculum's implementation in West Aceh. The findings indicate positive outcomes such as curriculum flexibility, freedom in teaching methodologies, and responsiveness to local conditions, which align with the principles of freedom-based learning approaches. This is consistent with literature emphasizing the importance of allowing teachers and schools to design a curriculum more relevant to local needs and student characteristics. However, challenges such as resource limitations, understanding of educational freedom, low community participation, and resistance to change reflect implementation issues identified in the literature. Consequently, implementing the Independent Curriculum necessitates careful strategies to overcome these obstacles and ensure its effectiveness. Improvement in teacher quality through further professional development aligns with research affirming that well-trained teachers positively impact student learning outcomes. These findings contribute to understanding the Independent Curriculum's implementation locally, serving as a valuable reference for policymakers and educational practitioners in similar regions.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Alaca, E. (2022). Values in Social Studies Curriculum: Case of Turkey. Open Journal for Educational Research, 6(2), 155–164. https://doi.org/10.32591/coas.ojer.0602.04155a

Alshammari, A. E. A., & Thomran, M. (2023). Towards Enhancing Creativity and Innovation in Education System for Youth in Hail Region. Advanced Education, 10(22), 122–136. https://doi.org/10.20535/2410-8286.279776

Angraeni, A., & Yusuf, F. N. (2022). Psychologically ready? Cases of EFL Elementary School Teachers’ Readiness to Teach English in Indonesia. Mimbar Sekolah Dasar, 9(2), 352–366. https://doi.org/10.53400/mimbar-sd.v9i2.49815

Browne, J. (2022). The Arts will find a way: Breaking through and moving forward New. Teachers and Curriculum, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.15663/tandc.v22i1

Dalrymple, S. E., Auerbach, A. J., & Schussler, E. (2017). Taking a Community Approach to Curriculum Change. International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.20429/ijsotl.2017.110205

Denny, E., & Weckesser, A. (2022). How to do qualitative research? Bjog: An International Journal Of Obstetrics And Gynaecology, 129(7), 1166–1167. https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.17150

Dilek, Ç., & Taşgın, A. (2023). Examining the Curriculum Literacy, Pedagogical Knowledge and Skill Levels of Preservice Teachers 1. International Journal of Curriculum and Instructional Studies, 13(1), 47–66. https://doi.org/10.31704/ijocis.2023.003

Haron, M. Z., Zalli, M. M. M., Othman, M. K., & Awang, M. I. (2021). Examining the teachers’ pedagogical knowledge and learning facilities towards teaching quality. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education, 10(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijere.v10i1.20780

Karakuş, G. (2021). Solutions for barriers in curriculum implementation. African Educational Research Journal, 9(2), 591–599. https://doi.org/10.30918/aerj.92.21.084

Khadafie, M. (2023). Pendidikan Agama Islam Dalam Sistem Pendidikan Merdeka Belajar. TAJDID: Jurnal Pemikiran Keislaman Dan Kemanusiaan, 7(1), 72–83.

Kurniawan, A., Yanti, H., & Abdurrahman, A. (2023). Menajemen Kurikulum Merdeka Belajar Dalam Menerapkan Nilai-Nilai Kearifan Lokal Pada Pembelajaran di SD Negeri 16 Meulaboh-Aceh Barat. Jurnal Ilmiah Profesi Pendidikan, 8(4), 1927–1935.

Li, Y. C. (2019). Negotiating imagined community in national curriculum: The Taiwanese case. International Education Journal, 18(1), 80–92. https://openjournals.library.sydney.edu.au/index.php/IEJ

Mohammadabadi, A. M., Ketabi, S., & Nejadansari, D. (2019). Factors influencing language teacher cognition: An ecological systems study. Studies in Second Language Learning and Teaching, 9(4), 657–680. https://doi.org/10.14746/ssllt.2019.9.4.5

Muhsin, H. (2021). Kampus Merdeka Di Era New Normal. Masa Depan Kampus Merdeka & Merdeka Belajar: Sebuah Bunga Rampai Dosen, 143.

Mukminin, A., Habibi, A., Prasojo, L. D., Idi, A., & Hamidah, A. (2019). Curriculum reform in indonesia: Moving from an exclusive to inclusive curriculum. Center for Educational Policy Studies Journal, 9(2), 53–72. https://doi.org/10.26529/cepsj.543

Muktamar, A., Yani, M., Lipu, A., & Syawal, A. M. (2023). Tantangan Implementasi Asesmen dalam Kurikulum Merdeka. Cigarskruie: Journal of Educational and Islamic Research, 1(1), 55–65.

Mustoip, S. (2023). Analisis Penilaian Perkembangan dan Pendidikan Karakter di Kurikulum Merdeka Sekolah Dasar. PANDU: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Dan Pendidikan Umum, 1(3), 144–151.

Nasution, M. K., & Surbakti, A. H. (2020). Trends, patterns, and the relationship of computer-based national examination of high school science students. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1460(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1460/1/012052

Net, W. W. W. P., Gazali, N., Bangun, S. Y., Perdima, F. E., Makorohim, M. F., & Abdullah, K. H. (2023). Curriculum and Physical Education: Bibliometric analysis using the Scopus database. Pegem Journal of Education and Instruction, 13(3), 84–93. https://doi.org/10.47750/pegegog.13.03.10

Norman, T. A., & Wall, A. (2020). Curriculum Integration: Walking the Walk. Current Issues in Middle Level Education, 25(1). https://doi.org/10.20429/cimle.2020.250106

Pribudhiana, R., Bin Don, Y., & Bin Yusof, M. R. (2021). Determining the influence of teacher quality toward teacher readiness in implementing Indonesian education policy. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research, 2021(93), 373–390. https://doi.org/10.14689/EJER.2021.93.18

Ralebese, M. D., Jita, L. C., & Chimbi, G. T. (2022). “Underprepared” Principals Leading Curriculum Reform in Lesotho. Research in Educational Administration and Leadership, 7(4), 861–897. https://doi.org/10.30828/real.1104537

Ramadani, F. R. F. (2022). Konsep Kurikulum Merdeka Belajar Terhadap Pandangan Filsafat ProgresivismE. Pendas: Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Dasar, 7(2), 1239–1251.

Schaffer, K. (2021). Chapter 4 - An exploration of research methodologies (K. B. T.-P. and P. C. R. Schaffer (ed.); pp. 23–31). Academic Press. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-824426-5.00004-0

Setyaningsih, A., Bagea, I., Mulyadi, M., Sarip, M., Agustiwi, A., Mubarok, E. S., & Haetami, A. (2024). Acceptance of independent curriculum in North Kalimantan. Journal of Education and Learning, 18(3), 923–929. https://doi.org/10.11591/edulearn.v18i3.20984

Singh, P., Hoyte, F., Exley, B., & Heimans, S. (2021). Teacher quality and teacher education: A critical policy analysis of international and Australian Policies. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 46(4), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.14221/ajte.2021v46n4.1

Suryaman, M. (2020). Orientasi pengembangan kurikulum merdeka belajar. In Seminar Nasional Pendidikan Bahasa Dan Sastra (pp. 13-28). https://ejournal.unib.ac.id/semiba/article/view/13357/6512

Susanti, L., Handriyantini, E., & Hamzah, A. (2023). Guru Kreatif Inovatif Era Merdeka Belajar. Penerbit Andi.

Thought, D. S. P. (2024). Edunity INDEPENDENT CURRICULUM FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF KI HADJAR. Edunity : Social and Educational Studies, 3(7), 505–513. https://doi.org/10.57096/edunity.v3i7.272

Torres, A. (2021). International Journal of Instruction July 2021 ●. International Journal of Instruction, 14(3), 463–480. https://www.e-iji.net/dosyalar/iji_2018_4_contents.pdf

Üker, H., & Kirkiç, K. A. (2024). Evaluation of an Innovative Technology Curriculum. Shanlax International Journal of Education, 12(3), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.34293/education.v12i3.7340

Ventura, A. (2014). Psychological Knowledge and Education Practices: Tradition and Present. Propósitos y Representaciones, 2(2), 215–230. https://doi.org/10.20511/pyr2014.v2n2.63

Wei, L., Sereerat, B., Songsiengchai, S., & Thongkumsuk, P. (2024). The Development of Curriculum Based on Happiness Theory to Improve the Hope of College Students. World Journal of Education, 14(1), 54. https://doi.org/10.5430/wje.v14n1p54

Yaacob, N. A. R. N., Don, Y., & Yaakob, M. F. M. (2020). Educational Policy Implementation: Adaptation Differences among Secondary School Teachers in Malaysia. Journal of Education and E-Learning Research, 7(2), 174–180. https://doi.org/10.20448/journal.509.2020.72.174.180

Downloads

Published

2024-06-10