In 2022, the Minister of Education in Indonesia launched the Merdeka Curriculum, which is an evaluation of the previous curriculum, the 2013 curriculum. The Merdeka Curriculum aims to address the learning crisis faced by Indonesia and its low performance in the PISA rankings. The Merdeka Curriculum is based on the concept of Merdeka Belajar, which liberates teachers and students in determining the learning system. Merdeka Belajar aims to create an enjoyable education for students and teachers, with an emphasis on character development in line with the values of the Indonesian nation. This concept is derived from the thoughts of post-war Indonesian education figures, including Ki Hajar Dewantara, who developed the Taman Siswa educational institution. Using the Grounded Theory approach and document analysis, this research attempts to analyze the thoughts of post-war Indonesian education figures and their potential adoption in the Merdeka Curriculum. Are these thoughts still contextual to the needs of current times? The research indicates that post-war Indonesian education thoughts, rich in nationalist spirit and adaptation to local wisdom, can contribute positively to the development of the Merdeka Curriculum. However, challenges arise in adapting post-war Indonesian education thoughts into the curriculum and educational practices, as well as measuring their effectiveness for evaluation and development purposes.

Authors:
M. Ryzki Wiryawan, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Indonesia

About the Presenter(s)
M. Ryzki Wiryawan, S.Ip., M.T. currently serves as a lecturer and vice rector at Ma'soem University. His areas of expertise include education, social studies, and technology.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Sunday Schedule

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