A Comparative Study on the Implementation of Merdeka Belajar (Freedom of Learning) Curriculum at Secondary Level: Flexibilities, Complexities, and Implications

Abstract

Merdeka Belajar (Freedom of Learning) curriculum is the newest on-going curriculum applied in Indonesia which aims to improve the quality of education. This curriculum reformation has earned excessive attention and there has been adequate number of studies attempted to evaluate the early stage of implementation of Merdeka Belajar curriculum. Yet, there is still paucity on the holistic overview on flexibilities and complexities of Merdeka Belajar curriculum especially at secondary level. In relation to that, this present study intended to bridge the gap by providing the comparation of Merdeka Belajar curriculum implementation at junior and senior secondary schools in one of regions in Indonesia. Through qualitative research design and descriptive comparison approach, data from focus group discussion (FGD) with 16 transformational teachers (Guru Penggerak) in Tebo regency were analyzed. The results underlined major distinction on the execution of Merdeka Belajar curriculum at these two settings. One striking finding relating to the adjustment of pedagogical to andragogy paradigm which is reported to be very challenging for teachers at junior level compared to senior level since students’ reliance on teachers is still notably high. However, there is more flexibility found at these two settings regarding to the simplification of the lesson plan which include three main components (objectives, activities, and assessment). Through this, teachers proclaimed that this new policy helps to reduce teachers’ loads to do the administration task. This study also draws some implications on Merdeka Belajar implementation at secondary education to provide best practices for forthcomings.



Author Information
Renda Lestari, Universitas Muhammadiyah Muara Bungo, Indonesia
Mutia Rahmadani, Universitas Muhammadiyah Muara Bungo, Indonesia

Paper Information
Conference: ECE2024
Stream: Curriculum Design & Development

This paper is part of the ECE2024 Conference Proceedings (View)
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To cite this article:
Lestari R., & Rahmadani M. (2024) A Comparative Study on the Implementation of Merdeka Belajar (Freedom of Learning) Curriculum at Secondary Level: Flexibilities, Complexities, and Implications ISSN: 2188-1162 The European Conference on Education 2024: Official Conference Proceedings (pp. 417-426) https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2188-1162.2024.34
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2188-1162.2024.34


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Posted by James Alexander Gordon