2013 Curriculum vs Merdeka Curriculum Implementation at Saint Ursula Senior Highschool

The Merdeka Curriculum launched by the Chief Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology, Nadiem Makarim has officially been implemented as a new curriculum at Saint Ursula High School for the 2023-2024 academic year to provide freedom in learning.In February 2022, the Merdeka curriculum established by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology was officially launched. Results shown by the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), 70% of students aged 15 years have minimum competence to understand simple reading or apply basic mathematical concepts. This study represents the immense disparities encountered across regions and socio-economic group issues concerning the quality of learning. The COVID-19 pandemic has also exacerbated this case to the point that it led to the learning loss phenomenon.As a part of the post-COVID-19 pandemic learning restoration effort, the Merdeka Curriculum was developed as a flexible curriculum focusing on essential material and developing students’ character and competence. In short, the Merdeka
curriculum was held to provide freedom in learning. Saint Ursula Senior High School has officially started implementing this latest curriculum organized by Indonesia’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology by the beginning of the 2023-2024
academic year.By entering the 2023-2024 academic year, X graders of Saint Ursula Senior High School have become the pioneers to start the implementation of the latest curriculum. Meanwhile, XI and XII graders are continuing their studies by implementing the 2013
curriculum. Many differences could be found by Saint Ursula Senior High School students through this latest curriculum considering different usage of curriculums
between students.In general, students of Saint Ursula Senior High School from X to XII graders are able to identify differences between the two curriculums. Based on interview results sourced by students of Saint Ursula Senior High School, students understood the Merdeka Curriculum concept that applies the process of learning all subjects without the existence of majoring. This was the other way around compared to XI and XII graders' 2013 curriculum implementation that applied the majoring system by the time they entered the X grade. Gayatri, an X-1 student of Saint Ursula Senior High School added, "The Merdeka curriculum itself is more likely to implement student-centered method learning, helping students to be actively involved in class with the support of the Pancasila students profile as its learning foundation".The Merdeka curriculum opens new doors for new learning methods, such as involving active learning in groups. Teachers of Saint Ursula Senior High School deliver a brief explanation of the material while X graders will explore more thoroughly through group work. However, teachers would still provide assistance, especially in clarifying, justifying, and adding information related to the material for optimal learning. “Group projects could be useful in the future because, through group works, we can implement what we learn directly instead of just memorizing theories.”, added Laras, an XII Social 2 student of Saint Ursula Senior High School. On the other hand, the 2013 curriculum is more likely to be teacher-centered though it has begun to lead towards a student-centered method proven by various group work projects.Aside from the learning methods used, each curriculum has its own superiority regarding making decisions about Saint Ursula Senior High School students’ majoring in the future. Implementation of the Merdeka curriculum offers students ease when it comes to making decisions in majoring. “By studying every subject, we’re able to find it easier when it comes to choosing which ones are more desirable and suit our liking the most so that we are more settled by the time we make our decisions.”, stated Ina, an X-1 student of Saint Ursula Senior High School. On the other side, the 2013 curriculum itself is believed to bring students ease as well when it comes to majoring-related decisions but with a different approach. “By not being required to study all subjects, the subjects we learn may be fewer but it is more efficient because it is in accordance with the majors we have chosen.”, stated Stevie, an XI Social student of Saint Ursula Senior High School.As we have obtained several points of view from Saint Ursula Senior High School students, based on the teacher’s perspective, the Merdeka curriculum is more contextual as it accommodates students’ interests better. Meanwhile, in the 2013 curriculum, there are more assessments. In order to prepare for the optimal implementation of the Merdeka curriculum, teachers of Saint Ursula Senior High School
went through several adaptations. Teachers have done training and evaluation processes as they implement the latest curriculum to students and observe whether there are difficulties present throughout the learning process.Mrs. Tanti as vice principal of Saint Ursula Senior High School for curriculum stated, “Learning methods must be changed, not all assessments should be graded through a written test. Therefore, teachers should start implementing experiential learning to all of their students ranging from X to XII so it’s more contextual and balanced resulting in the increase of students' interest in learning.” As a result, teachers of Saint Ursula Senior High School are able to provide equal service to students of Saint Ursula Senior High School which implements the Merdeka curriculum as well as the 2013 curriculum.

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