An Independent Curriculum: Does Freedom Bring Quality?

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In 2022, the independent curriculum came to replace the 2013 curriculum. However, not only that, the 2013 curriculum was replaced to support the recovery of education in Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, is this curriculum change an efficient recovery effort for education due to the COVID-19 pandemic?

"Freedom" in the sense of this curriculum is that students are free to choose according to the interests, talents and aspirations of the students themselves. And the teacher is given the right to go forward or backward according to the growth stage of the student's achievement. This curriculum uses learning through project activities with the aim of providing universal opportunities for students to actively explore actual issues. The independent curriculum is reportedly simpler and more in-depth, and although the thematic books and teaching module themes are similar, the

and teaching module themes are almost the same, critics of the Independent Curriculum are more likely to see regression than progress in significant educational improvements. According to Andy Hargreaves (2021), the Independent Curriculum is stuck in the legend of fun education with its main focus being Pancasila Learner Profile Project Learning. Hargreaves states that fun learning is a myth because learning requires perseverance, hard work, discipline and commitment. Deep learning is not always associated with fun.

And according to Jusuf Kalla, the 10th and 12th Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, the Independent Learning Curriculum is difficult to implement because only one teacher fixes about forty students in one class in many areas of Indonesia. Jusuf Kalla then mentioned that the teacher's welfare is not guaranteed, and he considers it difficult for the teacher to liberate forty students.

One of the policies of the independent curriculum is the elimination of the specialization program, because it is hoped that students will be more independent in choosing interests, talents, and appreciation. According to IMAN ZANATUL HAERI, History Teacher, Head of Teacher Advocacy of the Education and Teacher Association (P2G), there are several points that have been removed from the subjects, as a result of the independent curriculum, one of which is in the specialization history subject. There are many discussions of high school specialization history lessons that have disappeared since the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum, such as discussions of important European events (Renaissance, Dark Age, Church Reformation, Industrial Revolution, Aufklarung), Recognition of other nations of the Indonesian Proclamation, Cold War, World War I & II, and many more.

It is unfortunate because in the subject of history specialization, it provides a diverse, unique, and global-minded narrative, as well as provisions for children to take part in the international world.