Analysis of Constraints, Perceptions, and Determining Factors for Success in Implementing the Merdeka Belajar Curriculum in Indonesia
A Case Study at Muhammadiyah Kasihan Bantul Middle School, Special Region of Yogyakarta
Keywords:
Civic Education, Curriculum Implementation, Learning Constraints, Merdeka Belajar Curriculum, Muhammadiyah Schools, Teacher PerceptionAbstract
This research aims to analyze the obstacles, perceptions, and success factors in implementing the Merdeka Belajar Curriculum at Muhammadiyah Kasihan Middle School. The method is a descriptive qualitative approach, utilizing in-depth interviews with Pancasila and Civic Education (Pendidikan Pancasial dan Kewarganegaraan or PPKn) teachers at various levels. The results showed that the main obstacles lie in understanding the new curriculum, limited references, and a lack of relevant training. Nevertheless, teachers' perceptions of curriculum change tend to be positive when supported by adequate training and sufficient resources. The implications of this study demonstrate the importance of strengthening teacher capacity as well as providing systematic support to make curriculum implementation work more effectively.
Downloads
References
Kemdikbud, Kebijakan Implementasi Kurikulum Merdeka: Tantangan dan Solusi (Kebijakan Implementasi Kurikulum Merdeka: Tantangan dan Solusi). Jakarta: Kementerian Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan, 2023.
N. Wahlström, “Curriculum Policy, Teaching, and Knowledge Orientations,” Teach. Teach. Theory Pract., vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 259–275, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13540602.2022.2159364
S. N. Kamila and A. H. Agus RM, “Implementation of Merdeka Curriculum in Improving the Quality of Senior High School,” J. Educ. FKIP UNMA, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 394–401, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31949/educatio.v9i1.4591
A. Haque and S. A. David, “Effective Curriculum Implementation for Optimal Teaching and Learning Experience: A Study from A Private School in Dubai,” Int. J. Curric. Instr., vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 1–20, 2022.
Kementerian Pendidikan Kebudayaan Riset dan Teknologi, Keputusan Menteri Pendidikan, Kebudayaan, Riset, dan Teknologi Nomor 262/M/2022 tentang Perubahan atas Keputusan Menteri Pendidikan, Kebudayaan, Riset, dan Teknologi Nomor 56/M/2022 tentang Pedoman Penerapan Kurikulum dalam Rangka Pemulihan Pembelajaran (Decree of the Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology Number 262/M/2022 concerning Amendments to the Decree of the Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology Number 56/M/2022 concerning Guidelines for Implementing the Curriculum in the Context of Learning Recovery). Jakarta, Indonesia: Kemendikbudristek, 2022.
S. Wibowo, M. N. Wangid, and F. M. Firdaus, “The Relevance of Vygotsky’s Constructivist Learning Theory with the Differentiated Learning Primary Schools,” J. Educ. Learn., vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 431–440, 2025, doi: 10.11591/edulearn.v19i1.21197. DOI: https://doi.org/10.11591/edulearn.v19i1.21197
I. L. Kusuma, E. Khasanah, and Sukirman, “Teachers’ Perceptions of the Implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum at SMA Muhammadiyah 5 Yogyakarta,” Edulab Maj. Ilm. Lab. Pendidik., vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 297–317, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14421/edulab.2024.92.09
I. Komala, Y. A. Wardani, A. Khairiyah, and B. Arifin, “Resource Constraints: Teachers’ Challenges in Implementing Digital Curriculum in Remote Areas,” J. Soc. Sci. Educ. Res., vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 152–162, 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.59613/wjprmx85
K.-N. Kim, “Teachers’ administrative workload crowding out instructional activities,” Asia Pacific J. Educ., vol. 39, no. 1, pp. 1–19, 2019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02188791.2019.1572592
M. Park and Y.-K. Sung, “Teachers’ Perceptions of the Recent Curriculum Reforms and Their Implementation: What can we learn from the case of Korean elementary teachers?,” Asia Pacific J. Educ., vol. 33, no. 1, 2013. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02188791.2012.756391
A. P. Hura, “Teachers’ Perception Towards Curriculum Change in Indonesia,” Bhinneka J. Bintang Pendidik. dan Bhs., vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 12–20, 2024, [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.59024/bhinneka.v2i2.691 DOI: https://doi.org/10.59024/bhinneka.v2i2.691
F. X. Gamaliel and B. S. Widodo, “Kepemimpinan Transformasional Kepala Sekolah dalam Upaya Peningkatan Mutu Profesionalisme Guru (Transformational Leadership of School Principals in Efforts to Improve the Quality of Teacher Professionalism),” J. Din. Manaj. Pendidik., vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 100–110, 2024.
S. Lakkala, A. Galkienė, J. Navaitienė, T. Cierpiałowska, S. Tomecek, and S. Uusiautti, “Teachers Supporting Students in Collaborative Ways—An Analysis of Collaborative Work Creating Supportive Learning Environments for Every Student in A School: Cases from Austria, Finland, Lithuania, and Poland,” Sustain., vol. 13, no. 5, pp. 1–20, 2021, doi: 10.3390/su13052804. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su13052804
J. W. Creswell, Research Design: Pendekatan Kualitatif, Kuantitatif, dan Mixed (Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Approaches), Tiga. Yoyakarta: Pustaka Pelajar, 2010.
M. Sayed and K. A. Afzal, “Teaching and Learning Process to Enhance Teaching Effectiveness: A Literature Review,” Int. J. Humanit. Innov., vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 1–4, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33750/ijhi.v4i1.102
L. Henderson, “Curriculum Integration of Citizenship Education in Schools: The Importance of Relevance and Creativity,” Curric. Perspect., vol. 39, no. 1, pp. 63–71, 2019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41297-019-00073-5
E. A. Nevenglosky, C. Cale, and S. Panesar Aguilar, “Barriers to Effective Curriculum Implementation,” Res. High. Educ. J., vol. 36, no. 1, pp. 112–134, 2019.
I. Acun, M. Demir, and N. L. Goz, “The Relationship Between Student Teachers’ Citizenship Skills and Critical Thinking Skills,” J. Soc. Stud. Educ. Res., vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 107–123, 2010.
E. A. Abedi and A. K. Ametepey, “Leadership Practices and Support Structures Enabling Teachers’ Informal Learning for Educational Technology Use: An Appreciative Inquiry Approach,” Prof. Dev. Educ., pp. 1–15, 2024, doi: 10.1080/19415257.2024.2330973. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/19415257.2024.2330973
T. Sukmayadi, A. Abdulkarim, K. Komalasari, and M. Halimi, “Conceptual Model of Citizenship Learning Projects Based on Data Literacy in Citizenship Education Course,” in Proceedings of the 4th Annual Civic Education Conference (ACEC 2022), 2023, pp. 659–667. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-096-1_70
M. Marić, M. Sakač, V. Lipovac, S. Nikolić, J. Raičević, and M. Saračević, “Teachers and Social Learning As a Factor of Modern Educational Competencies,” Bulg. J. Sci. Educ. Policy, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 233–245, 2017.
M. van Geel, T. Keuning, and I. Safar, “How Teachers Develop Skills for Implementing Differentiated Instruction: Helpful and Hindering Factors,” Teach. Teach. Educ. Leadersh. Prof. Dev., vol. 1, pp. 1–11, 2022. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tatelp.2022.100007
G. Karakuş, “A Literary Review on Curriculum Implementation Problems,” Shanlax Int. J. Educ., vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 201–220, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.34293/education.v9i3.3983
M. S. Ribble, G. D. Bailey, and T. W. Ross, “Digital Citizenship: Addressing Appropriate Technology Behavior,” Learn. Lead. with Technol., vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 6–12, 2004.
A. Aytaç, “A Study on Teachers’ Perceptions of Curriculum Changes,” Int. J. Innov. Approaches Educ., vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 28–41, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.29329/ijiape.2023.540.3
C. Ozan and R. Y. Kıncal, “The Effects of Formative Assessment on Academic Achievement, Attitudes Toward The Lesson, and Self-Regulation Skills,” Kuram ve Uygulamada Egit. Bilim., vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 85–118, 2018, doi: 10.12738/estp.2018.1.0216. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12738/estp.2018.1.0216
C. Kandiko Howson and M. Kingsbury, “Curriculum Change As Transformational Learning,” Teach. High. Educ., vol. 28, no. 8, pp. 1847–1866, 2023, doi: 10.1080/13562517.2021.1940923. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2021.1940923
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Copyright (c) 2026 Trisna Sukmayadi, Sumaryati, Ali Tarmuji

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.









