Adaptation of the Independent Learning Curriculum

The Independent Learning Curriculum (Kurikulum Merdeka Belajar) represents a significant shift in Indonesia's educational landscape, aiming to foster more student-centered and flexible learning environments. This curriculum emphasizes student autonomy, contextual learning, and the development of holistic skills. However, the successful implementation of this curriculum hinges on the ability of teachers to adapt it effectively to their specific contexts and student needs. This adaptation process is not without its challenges, as teachers face various obstacles related to resources, training, and understanding of the curriculum's underlying principles.

Despite the curriculum's potential benefits, there's a noticeable gap in the empirical research regarding the actual adaptation processes undertaken by teachers in Indonesian schools. While policy documents outline the curriculum's objectives and guidelines, there's limited understanding of how teachers are translating these guidelines into practical classroom strategies. This gap is further widened by the diverse educational contexts across Indonesia, ranging from well-resourced urban schools to under-resourced rural institutions. The challenges faced by teachers in these varying contexts are likely to differ significantly, necessitating a nuanced understanding of their adaptation efforts.

This research aims to bridge this gap by exploring the specific challenges teachers encounter when adapting the Independent Learning Curriculum and identifying the solutions they develop to overcome these obstacles. By examining teachers' experiences, strategies, and perspectives, this study seeks to provide valuable insights into the realities of curriculum adaptation in Indonesian schools. Ultimately, the findings will inform policy recommendations and professional development initiatives aimed at supporting teachers in effectively implementing the Independent Learning Curriculum.