Implementation of the Independent Curriculum in Cirebon City and Regency Areas

Authors

  • Muhammad Iqbal Al Ghozali Universitas Islam Bunga Bangsa Cirebon
  • Sitty Nur Syafa Bakri University Malaysia Sabah

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61227/jtlc.v1i1.184

Keywords:

Implementation, Merdeka Curriculum, Cirebon

Abstract

The background of this research departs from the government's policy that establishes the Merdeka Curriculum as an alternative to the national curriculum to strengthen students' character and competence through contextual and flexible learning. This study aims to identify the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum in the Cirebon City and Regency areas, including implementation strategies, supporting factors, inhibitions, and implications. The research method uses a descriptive qualitative approach with data collection techniques in the form of interviews, observations, and document studies from ten field reports. The subjects of the study include teachers, principals, and officials of the education office in Cirebon City and Regency. Data analysis is carried out through data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawn. The results of the study show that the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum in the two regions has similarities in the gradual implementation, the implementation of the Pancasila Student Profile Strengthening Project (P5), as well as teacher training support and infrastructure facilities. However, the challenges faced include limited teacher understanding, administrative burden, and limited teaching materials. The implications of this study emphasize the importance of continuous mentoring, the provision of adequate teaching materials, and the equitable distribution of infrastructure support.

References

Al Arsyadhi, N. L., Dewi, L., & Hernawan, A. H. (2024). Evaluation of teacher readiness in implementing Kurikulum Merdeka in elementary schools. Inovasi Kurikulum, 21(2), 1149–1160.

Amiyatno, R., Sya’bani, S., Rafi, M. I., Setiawati, M., & Hayati, N. (2025). Analisis Permasalahan Akibat Peralihan dari Kurikulum 2013 ke Kurikulum Merdeka Terhadap Siswa. Jurnal Ilmu Manajemen Dan Pendidikan| E-ISSN: 3062-7788, 2(1), 259–266.

Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The ecology of human development: Experiments by nature and design. Harvard university press. https://books.google.com/books?hl=id&lr=&id=OCmbzWka6xUC&oi=fnd&pg=PA3&dq=Bronfenbrenner,+U.+(1979).+The+ecology+of+human+development:+Experiments+by+nature+and+design.+Harvard+University+Press.&ots=yAOZQ1YUgc&sig=bms3YWXfKZKHJtm-unEdQVsJChY

Darling-Hammond, L., Hyler, M. E., & Gardner, M. (2017). Effective teacher professional development. Learning Policy Institute. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED606743

Davis, F. D. (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Quarterly, 13(3), 319-340.

Ely, D. P. (1990). Conditions that facilitate the implementation of educational technology innovations. Journal of Research on Computing in Education, 23(2), 298-305.

Fajri, A. (2023). Implementasi Kurikulum Merdeka: Tantangan dan strategi pembelajaran di era digital. Jurnal Inovasi Pendidikan, 15(3), 78-92.

Fangestu, I. W. F., & Marpuah, S. (2025). Perubahan dan Inovasi Kurikulum Pendidikan di Berbagai Negara. Southeast Asian Journal of Islamic Education Management, 6(1), 1–20.

Fauzan, M. A., & Arifin, F. (2022). Desain kurikulum dan pembelajaran abad 21. Prenada Media. https://books.google.com/books?hl=id&lr=&id=q0x1EAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA72&dq=Negara-negara+menganggap+reformasi+kurikulum+sebagai+langkah+penting+dan+perlu+untuk+membuat+sekolah+memasuki+abad+ke-21+dan+merespons+dunia+yang+berubah+dengan+cepat&ots=UfvrpIg0P3&sig=qEkz-w7yvP1NK5zj1fuMCpLwzrs

Ferdi, F., Thomas, T., & Falando, N. (2025). Evaluasi Implementasi Kurikulum Merdeka Dalam Meningkatkan Kreativitas dan Kemandirian Siswa. Jurnal Pendidikan Indonesia: Teori, Penelitian, Dan Inovasi, 5(3). https://jurnal.penerbitwidina.com/index.php/JPI/article/view/1583

Fullan, M. (2016). The new meaning of educational change. Teachers college press. https://books.google.com/books?hl=id&lr=&id=YxGTCwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR3&dq=Fullan,+M.+(2007).+The+new+meaning+of+educational+change+(4th+ed.).+Teachers+College+Press.&ots=Y2dxBfqR6b&sig=MpMeL9ab6ys2a_1UepndhLX8PxU

Hargreaves, A., & Goodson, I. (2006). Educational Change Over Time? The Sustainability and Nonsustainability of Three Decades of Secondary School Change and Continuity. Educational Administration Quarterly, 42(1), 3–41. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013161X05277975

Ihsan, M., Muharyati, S., & Zaitun, Z. (2025). Analisis Kebijakan Kurikulum Merdeka Pengengembangan dan Implementasi. Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan Muhammadiyah Kramat Jati, 6(1), 62–69.

Krajcik, J., & Blumenfeld, P. (2006). 19. Project-Based Learning. The Cambridge Handbook of the Learning Sciences, 317–333.

Leithwood, K., Harris, A., & Hopkins, D. (2008). Seven strong claims about successful school leadership. School Leadership & Management, 28(1), 27–42. https://doi.org/10.1080/13632430701800060

Mishra, P., & Koehler, M. J. (2006). Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge: A Framework for Teacher Knowledge. Teachers College Record: The Voice of Scholarship in Education, 108(6), 1017–1054. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9620.2006.00684.x

Muktamar, A., Mahendra, Y. I., & Sermayana, A. (2024). Analisis perbandingan efektivitas penerapan kurikulum 2013 dan kurikulum merdeka pada mata pelajaran pendidikan agama Islam. Jurnal Intelek Insan Cendikia, 1(2), 130–143.

Ornstein, A. C., & Hunkins, F. P. (2017). Curriculum: Foundations, principles, and issues (7th ed.). Pearson Education.

Priestley, M., Biesta, G., & Robinson, S. (2015). Teacher agency: An ecological approach. Bloomsbury Academic.

Rogers, E. (2003). Diffusion of Innovations 5th. Free press.

Syahrir, S., Pujiriyanto, P., Musdalifa, M., & Fitri, S. (2024). The implementation of merdeka curriculum to realize Indonesia golden generation: A systematic literature review. Al-Ishlah: Jurnal Pendidikan, 16(2), 1434–1450.

Tyler, R. W. (1949). Basic principles of curriculum and instruction. University of Chicago Press.

Additional Files

Published

2025-06-03

 


How to Cite

Al Ghozali, M. I., & Bakri, S. N. S. (2025). Implementation of the Independent Curriculum in Cirebon City and Regency Areas. Journal of Teaching, Learning & Curriculum, 1(1), 20–31. https://doi.org/10.61227/jtlc.v1i1.184

Similar Articles

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.