The Role of Merdeka Curriculum in Supporting Multicultural Education in Primary Schools (A Qualitative Case Study at SDN 1 Sukorambi Jember, East Java)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32832/at-tadib.v10i2.23986Keywords:
Merdeka Curriculum, Multicultural Education, Primary School, P5, Inclusive LearningAbstract
The growing need for inclusive education in Indonesia requires curriculum innovations that support multicultural values from an early age. Despite this potential, empirical evidence on how effectively the Merdeka Curriculum promotes multicultural values at the primary level remains limited. This study explores the role of the Merdeka Curriculum in supporting multicultural education in primary schools. Using a qualitative descriptive method with a case study approach, the research was conducted at SDN 1 Sukorambi Jember, East Java. Data were collected through interviews, classroom observations, and document analysis involving teachers, students, parents, and school leaders. The findings reveal that the Merdeka Curriculum enables the integration of multicultural content through flexible learning designs. Teachers use diverse cultural stories and learning materials to foster tolerance and appreciation of differences. The implementation of the Pancasila Student Profile Project (P5), particularly under the theme “Unity in Diversity,” encourages collaborative, experiential learning rooted in cultural identity. Furthermore, student and parent responses indicate increased awareness and pride in cultural heritage. The study concludes that the Merdeka Curriculum serves as an effective platform to strengthen multicultural awareness and social harmony in elementary education. However, its success relies on school leadership, teacher competence, and community involvement. This research contributes to the growing discourse on culturally responsive education in Indonesia and highlights the importance of policy alignment and support in promoting multicultural practices in schools.
References
Anggraeni, D., Abkha, A. O., Syifa, A. W. R., Lighoyati, S. K., Millatina, T. T., & Mufiatun, N. D. A. (2023). Praktik Moderasi Beragama dalam Pendidikan Agama Islam pada Masyarakat Multikultural di Bali. Indonesian Journal of Islamic Education and Local Culture (IJIELC), 1(2), 125–136.
Azizatul ’uula, L., Surachmi, S., & Utaminingsih, S. (2022). Nilai-Nilai Kearifan Lokal Dalam Pendidikan Multikultural di SDN Tambakromo 01. Jurnal Ilmiah Wahana Pendidikan, 8(18), 262–268. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7134334.
Banks, J. A. (2019). An Introduction to Multicultural Education (6th ed.). Pearson.
Chotimah, U. (2018). Pengintegrasian Nilai-Nilai Kearifan Lokal Dalam Pendidikan Multikultural. Jurnal Civics : Media Kajian Kewarganegaraan 15(1), 19–25.
Firman Aulia Ramadhan, N. H. (2022). COMMUNICATION OF TEACHERS AND PARENTS OF STUDENTS IN OPTIMIZING LEARNING DURING THE PANDEMIC ERA AT MIN 6 JEMBRANA BALI. Al-Aulad: Journal of Islamic Primary Education, 5(2), 89–101.
Gay, G. (2018). Culturally Responsive Teaching: Theory, Research, and Practice (3rd ed.). Teachers College Press.
Hasslen, R. (2008). From a Tarpaper Shack to a Transformed Classroom: A Teacher’s Journey. Kappa Delta Pi Record, 44(2), 52–54. https://doi.org/10.1080/00228958.2008.10516493
Idris, H., & Adawiyah, R. (2023). December 2023 Pandemic: Case of Multicultural Students in Indonesia. Dinamika Ilmu, 23(2), 217–229.
Irwan, I., Kamarudin, K., & Mansur, M. (2022). Membangun Kebhinekaan Antar Remaja dalam Perspektif Pendidikan Multikulturalisme. Jurnal Basicedu, 6(2), 2301–2311. https://doi.org/10.31004/basicedu.v6i2.2173
Ladson-Billings, G. (1995). Toward a Theory of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy. American Educational Research Journal, 32(3), 465–491. https://doi.org/10.3102/00028312032003465
Lasmawan, I. W., Suastika, I. N., Sanjaya, D. B., & Pardi, I. W. (2024). Potensi Pengembangan Model Pendidikan Multikultural berbasis Budaya Balichinesia melalui Pendekatan Eduwisata di Bali. Jurnal Ilmu Sosial dan Humaniora 13(3), 695–704.
Munardji, Kholis, N., & Mufidah, N. (2020). Community multicultural integration pattern in environment-based learning. International Journal of Instruction, 13(1), 101–124. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2020.1317a
Osso, C. D. (2008). Meeting Diversity With a Multicultural English Elective Course. (Master's thesis, Dominican University of California). ERIC.
Pageh, I. M. (2021). Multikulturalisme Dan Tantangannya Di Indonesia: Jejak Kesetaraan Etnis Dan Kultur Di Pura Republik/ Gambur Angalayang Kubutambahan Bali. Sosio-Didaktika: Social Science Education Journal, 3(2), 115–125. https://doi.org/10.15408/sd.v3i2.4344
Ramadhan, F. A., & Usriyah, L. (2021). Strategi Guru dalam Mengimplementasikan Pendidikan Multikultural pada Sekolah Dasar Pada Masa Pandemi Covid-19. AKSELERASI: Jurnal Pendidikan Guru MI, 2(2), 59–68. https://doi.org/10.35719/akselerasi.v2i2.114
Riyanti, A., & Novitasari, N. (2021). Pendidikan Multikultural Berbasis Kearifan Lokal Bagi Siswa Sekolah Dasar. Jurnal Adat Dan Budaya Indonesia, 3(1), 29–35. https://doi.org/10.23887/jabi.v3i1.37780
Ross, L. S. (2021). Equitably Responsive Teaching. Kappa Delta Pi Record, 57(2), 55–58. https://doi.org/10.1080/00228958.2021.1890437
Salim, A., & Aprison, W. (2024). Pendidikan Multikultural Berbasis Kearifan Lokal. Jurnal Penelitian Ilmu Pendidikan Indonesia, 3(1), 22–30. https://jpion.org/index.php/jpi
Sugiyono. (2013). Metode Penelitian Pendidikan (Pendekatan Kuantitatif, Kualitatif, dan R&D). Alfabeta.
Wakano, A. (2019). Nilai-nilai Pendidikan Multikultural dalam Kearifan Lokal Masyarakat Maluku. Al-Iltizam: Jurnal Pendidikan Agama Islam, 4(2), 26–43. https://doi.org/10.33477/alt.v4i2.1006
Widiantari, N. N., Gading, I. K., & Astawan, I. G. (2021). Bahan Ajar Interaktif Berbasis Kearifan Lokal Bali Tema Indahnya Kebersamaan. Jurnal Pendidikan Multikultural Indonesia, 4(1), 13–22. https://doi.org/10.23887/jpmu.v4i1.34796
Winaja, I. W., Prabawa, I. W. S. W., & Pertiwi, P. R. (2019). Acculturation and Its Effects on t he Religious and Ethnic Values of Bali’s Catur Village Community I Wayan Winaja 1 , I Wayan Sukma Winarya Prabawa 2 , & Putu Ratih Pertiwi 3. Journal of Social Studies Education Research, 10(3), 249–275.
Zakiah, L., Sarkadi, Marini, A., Komarudin, Casmana, A. R., & Kusmawati, A. P. (2023). Implementation of Teaching Multicultural Values Through Civic Education for Elementary School Students. Journal of Social Studies Education Research, 14(1), 110–142.
