Curriculum Reform in Practice: Implementation of Kurikulum Merdeka in Islamic Religious Education at  Sekolah Penggerak

Ummul Khair; Hendra Harmi; Dewi Purnama Sari

doi:10.35445/alishlah.v18i1.7681

Curriculum Reform in Practice: Implementation of Kurikulum Merdeka in Islamic Religious Education at Sekolah Penggerak

Ummul Khair, Hendra Harmi, Dewi Purnama Sari

Abstract

The Merdeka Curriculum is an Indonesian curriculum reform intended to increase school and teacher autonomy and to strengthen competency- and character-based learning. However, evidence on how this curriculum is enacted in Islamic Religious Education (Pendidikan Agama Islam/PAI) at the elementary level remains limited. This study examined the implementation of PAI under the Merdeka Curriculum in a Sekolah Penggerak (Driving School) context at SD Negeri 02 Rejang Lebong. Using a qualitative descriptive case study design, data were collected from July to December 2024 through classroom observations, semi-structured interviews with four PAI teachers, the school principal, and selected students, and analysis of instructional documents (modules and lesson plans). Data were analyzed thematically following Braun and Clarke, supported by triangulation and member checking to enhance credibility. Findings indicate that teachers used increased curricular flexibility to prioritize essential and contextual PAI content based on initial diagnostic assessment and clearly stated learning objectives. Instruction commonly incorporated discussion, interactive explanation, reflective questioning, role play, Qur’anic reading practice, and value-based projects (e.g., charity and community service) to connect religious concepts with students’ lived experiences. Assessment emphasized continuous formative feedback through quizzes, portfolios, performance tasks, and observation of value enactment in daily behavior; remedial and enrichment activities were applied according to student needs. A recurring challenge concerned uneven parental support for reinforcing religious values at home. Overall, Merdeka Curriculum enactment in PAI fostered a student-centered and value-oriented learning environment that supported both understanding of Islamic teachings and character development, while highlighting the need for stronger school–family collaboration.

Keywords

merdeka curriculum; Islamic religious education (PAI); character development; sekolah penggerak program

References

Amie Primarni, Zahra Algistyani, Maulida Syafitri, Susanti, Mudia Octavia, & Ari Lukmanul Hakim. (2025). Peran Pendidikan Agama dalam Membentuk Karakter dan Akhlak Mulia pada Anak. El-Mujtama: Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat, 4(3), 1915–1925. https://doi.org/10.47467/elmujtama.v4i3.3273

Arifin, Z. (2018). Islamic Education Curriculum Development Management: Theory and Practice. Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta.

Berliana, W., & Tersta, F. W. (2024). AUTHENTIC ASSESSMENT IN EFL CLASSROOMS : SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS ’ PROBLEMS. 31(2), 106–113.

Empaldi. (2023). Learning Islamic Religious Education in the Merdeka Curriculum: A Critical Review. Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Holistik (JIPH), 2(1), 117–128. https://doi.org/10.55927/jiph.v2i1.2490

Irmawati, I. (2024). Integrasi Nilai-Nilai Islam dalam Kurikulum PAI. AL-MIKRAJ Jurnal Studi Islam Dan Humaniora (E-ISSN 2745-4584), 4(02), 1743–1757. https://doi.org/10.37680/almikraj.v4i02.5421

Jasiah, J., Mazrur, M., Hartati, Z., Rahman, A., Kibtiyah, M., Liadi, F., & Fahmi, F. (2024). Islamic Teachers’ Implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum in Senior High Schools: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 23(4), 394–408. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.23.4.21

Kemendikbudristek. (2022). Panduan Pembelajaran dan Asesmen. In Badan Standar, Kurikulum, Dan Asesmen Pendidikan Kementerian Pendidikan, Kebudayaan, Riset, Dan Teknologi Republik Indonesia.

Khaerunnisa, Riska Damayanti, & Muhammadong. (2025). Integration of Islamic Religious Education Values with Independent Curriculum: Opportunities and Challenges in Elementary Schools. Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Dan Riset Pendidikan, 4(1), 3917–3925. https://doi.org/10.31004/jerkin.v4i1.2225

Murni, S., & Ariyani, D. (2022). Penanaman Nilai Agama dan Moral pada Anak Usia Dini Perspektif Peran Orang Tua. Zuriah : Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 3(2), 75. https://doi.org/10.29240/zuriah.v3i2.5078

Musthofa, M., & Illahi, N. (2023). Metode Pembelajaran dalam Pendidikan Islam. Tarqiyatuna: Jurnal Pendidikan Agama Islam Dan Madrasah Ibtidaiyah, 2(1), 20–37. https://doi.org/10.36769/tarqiyatuna.v2i1.310

Nafisah, Imam Mahdi, & Moch. Iqbal. (2024). PROGRESSIVE GOVERNANCE SYSTEM AGAINST THE SHIFTING DYNAMICS OF CHILDREN’S BEHAVIOR, CHILDREN’S PSYCHOLOGY, AND CHILDREN’S LANGUAGE PHASE. Esteem Journal of English Education Study Programme, 7(2), 387–400. https://doi.org/10.31851/esteem.v7i2.14827

Nurmasyitah, P., Amiruddin, A., Salim, A., Fransiska, I., Daris, K., & Suryani, K. (2023). Implementation Merdeka Curriculum of Learning to Students’ Learning Activities. Holistic Science, 3(1), 39–44. https://doi.org/10.56495/hs.v3i1.331

Nuryana, A., Suhartini, A., & Basri, H. (2022). Instillation of Prayer Values in Nature Shaping Students’ Personalities. Jurnal Inovasi Pendidikan Agama Islam (JIPAI), 2(2), 109–119. https://doi.org/10.15575/jipai.v2i2.18172

Prisca, P. O. D., & Abdulloh. (2025). Tantangan Guru PAI Dalam Membentuk Karakter Religius Siswa di Era Kurikulum Merdeka. Jurnal PAI Raden Fatah, 7(2), 125–140. https://doi.org/10.19109/pairf.v7i2.27594

Ramadani, I. R., Firman, F., & Ahmad, R. (2021). Basic concepts and curriculum theory in education. SCHOULID: Indonesian Journal of School Counseling, 6(1), 9. https://doi.org/10.23916/08741011

Sugiri, W. A., & Priatmoko, S. (2020). PERSPREKTIF ASESMEN AUTENTIK SEBAGAI ALAT EVALUASI DALAM MERDEKA BELAJAR. At-Thullab : Jurnal Pendidikan Guru Madrasah Ibtidaiyah, 4(1), 53. https://doi.org/10.30736/atl.v4i1.119

Surahmat, S. (2025). Peran Guru dalam Pengembangan Kurikulum dan Pembelajaran. MURABBI, 4(1), 34–45. https://doi.org/10.69630/jm.v4i1.54

Yogi Fernando, Nova Mariyanti, & Darul Ilmi. (2023). Konsep Administrasi Kurikulum Dalam Pendidikan. JURNAL PENDIDIKAN DAN ILMU SOSIAL (JUPENDIS), 2(1), 283–290. https://doi.org/10.54066/jupendis.v2i1.1244

Zuri Pamuji, & Kholid Mawardi. (2023). Islamic Religious Education Curriculum Development Based On Multiculturalism in Merdeka Curriculum At Elementary School. International Journal of Education and Teaching Zone, 2(2), 286–298. https://doi.org/10.57092/ijetz.v2i2.125

DOI: https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v18i1.7681