Implementing the Independent Learning Curriculum in Elementary Schools: Challenges and Strategies

Authors

  • Salsabila Putri Azahra Universitas Islam Negeri Raden Intan Lampung, Indonesia Author
  • Era Octafiona Universitas Islam Negeri Raden Intan Lampung, Indonesia Author

Keywords:

Independent Learning, Curriculum, Elementary School, Learning Innovation, Implementation Strategy

Abstract

This study examines the implementation of the Merdeka Belajar Curriculum at the elementary school level as part of the national education reform initiated by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology in 2021. This curriculum is designed to provide flexibility for educational units to develop flexible, competency-based learning that is relevant to the local context. At the elementary school level, this curriculum plays a strategic role in shaping students' character, basic skills, and motivation to learn. However, various literature shows that the implementation of the Merdeka Belajar Curriculum still faces obstacles such as teacher readiness, limited infrastructure, gaps in technology access, and differing understanding of policies. This study aims to analyze these challenges, examine implementation strategies, and provide recommendations to improve the effectiveness of curriculum implementation. The method used is descriptive qualitative through a literature study, reviewing books, scientific articles, journals, official reports, and policy documents. This literature study was chosen because it allows researchers to systematically explore various empirical findings on curriculum implementation in various school contexts. The analysis is conducted through collecting, recording, and interpreting findings from various sources to build a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing the success of curriculum implementation. The study results show that the Independent Learning Curriculum has had a positive impact, increasing teacher innovation, developing project-based learning, and increasing student participation. However, there are disparities in implementation across schools. The most influential factors are teacher competence, support from the principal and educational management, the readiness of infrastructure, and parental involvement. Schools with adequate facilities and adaptive leadership are able to implement the curriculum more optimally than schools with limited resources. This study concludes that while the Independent Learning Curriculum has strong potential to improve the quality of basic education, its success depends heavily on the synergy of various educational elements. Continuous teacher training, intensive mentoring, strengthening infrastructure, and collaboration between schools, the government, and parents are needed to ensure equitable, effective, and sustainable implementation of the curriculum.

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Published

2025-12-28

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Vol. 1 No. 03 (2025): Al-Manarah; Journal of Education and Islamic Studies

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Implementing the Independent Learning Curriculum in Elementary Schools: Challenges and Strategies (S. P. Azahra & E. Octafiona , Trans.). (2025). Al-Manarah; Journal of Education and Islamic Studies, 1(03), 247-254. https://journal.pergunulampung.or.id/index.php/almanarah/article/view/136