International Journal Article

Transforming Character Education through the Implementation of the Independent Curriculum in Indonesia

Author : Zainuddin Zainuddin, Ani Nafisah, Muhammad Muttaqin

Affiliation : Institut Agama Islam Al-Qur’an Al-Ittifaqiah Indralaya, Sumatera Selatan, Indonesia

Abstract

The transformation of character education has become a crucial agenda in the development of Indonesia’s human resources, especially in responding to global challenges and the post-pandemic learning crisis. The Independent Curriculum emerged as an innovative educational policy emphasizing flexibility, differentiated learning, and character strengthening through the integration of Pancasila Student Profile values.

This study aims to analyze the implementation of the Independent Curriculum in transforming character education in Indonesia by highlighting strategies, challenges, and its impact on students’ motivation and learning quality. The method used is a qualitative descriptive literature review based on recent research findings and empirical data.

The findings reveal that the Independent Curriculum enhances learning motivation, active student participation, and the quality of the learning process through a more interactive and student-centered approach. Teachers play a strategic role as facilitators and agents of change, although continuous training and systemic support are still required.

The study concludes that collaboration among stakeholders is essential to strengthen curriculum implementation, develop comprehensive character evaluation systems, and create inclusive and adaptive learning environments. The Independent Curriculum has strong potential to shape Indonesian students who excel academically while possessing moral integrity, social sensitivity, and adaptability in the global era.

References

1. Al Fajri, T. A., & Andarwulan, T. (2023). Implementation Of The Merdeka Curriculum In Indonesia: Challenges And Opportunities.
2. Fauzan, F., et al. (2023). The implementation of the merdeka curriculum in strengthening students’ character in Indonesia.
3. Ratnawati, R. E., et al. (2024). Optimization of character education in the independent curriculum through the Pancasila student profile strengthening project approach.
4. Mulyasa, H. E. (2021). Menjadi Guru Penggerak Merdeka Belajar.
5. Priestley, M., Biesta, G., & Robinson, S. (2013). Teachers as agents of change: Teacher agency and emerging models of curriculum.

© 2025 International Journal of Education and Humanities (IJEH)

```

Reconstruction of Pesantren Education, Analyzing Independent Curriculum in Transforming Islamic Education in Indonesia

Reconstruction of Pesantren Education, Analyzing Independent Curriculum in Transforming Islamic Education in Indonesia

Zainuddin Zainuddin  

Institut Agama Islam Al-Qur'an Al-Ittifaqiah Indralaya

Aidah Aidah  

Institut Agama Islam Al-Qur'an Al-Ittifaqiah Indralaya

Mustafiyanti Mustafiyanti 

Institut Agama Islam Al-Qur'an Al-Ittifaqiah Indralaya

Anis Susanti  

Sekolah Menengah Pertama Negeri 1 Tanjung Lago

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the reconstruction of the pesantren education system in implementing the Merdeka Curriculum as part of the transformation of Islamic education in Indonesia. Pesantren as the oldest Islamic educational institution has a strong tradition of learning the yellowclassical books through classical methods such as sorogan and bandongan. However, the dynamics of changes in the national education system require pesantren to adapt to the Merdeka Curriculum which emphasizes strengthening 21st century competencies, learning flexibility, and learner-oriented. This research uses the library research method by analyzing various relevant literature, scientific journals, books, and official documents. The results showed that the reconstruction process of the pesantren education system in adopting the Merdeka Curriculum was carried out selectively and contextually without eliminating the identity and characteristics of the pesantren. The pesantren adjusts the curriculum, learning methods, and evaluation system by integrating Islamic values and modern digital-based competencies and strengthening 21st century literacy. The role of kyai as a cultural broker is a key factor in maintaining the balance between maintaining tradition and opening space for educational innovation. However, pesantren face challenges such as limited human resources, infrastructure, and tensions between the autonomy of the pesantren curriculum and national curriculum standards. For this reason, strategies are needed to strengthen institutional capacity, improve teacher competence, and develop hybrid learning models that combine traditional and modern methods. This study concludes that the reconstruction of the pesantren education system in the Merdeka Curriculum is a strategic step to strengthen the role of pesantren as Islamic educational institutions that are adaptive, innovative, and remain rooted in Islamic values in facing the challenges of globalization and digitalization of education

Keywords:

Pesantren, Curriculum Reconstruction, Independent Curriculum, Islamic Education, Education Transformatio

References

Alinafiah, Muhammad, and Solihah Titin Sumanti. “Implementation Of Character Education In Modern Boarding School Taajussalaam Langkat,” 2024. https://doi.org/10.19109/tadrib.v10i1.

Al-Razi, Muhammad Fakhruddin, Abd Madjid, and Ahmad Hadziq Madani Ilham Khalil. “Reconstructing the Islamic Education Paradigm in Indonesia.” EDUKASI: Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan Agama Dan Keagamaan 22, no. 2 (2024): 294–310. https://doi.org/10.32729/edukasi.v22i2.1918.

Amrullah, Abdul Malik Karim, and Indah Aminatuz Zuhriyah. “The Challenges of Developing Islamic Education Curriculum and Strategies for Its Development in Facing Future Competency Demands.” Tafkir: Interdisciplinary Journal of Islamic Education 6, no. 1 (2025): 111–26.

Anggraeni, Dewi, Akhmad Afroni, Aisyah Zubaidah, and Gumilar Irfanullah. “Adaptation and Transformation of Pesantren Education in Facing The Era of Muslim Society 5.0.” Nazhruna: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam 7, no. 3 (2024): 705–26. https://doi.org/10.31538/nzh.v7i3.114.

Azimah, Azimah. “Model Manajemen Kurikulum Pendidikan Islam Berbasis Kompetensi Di Lembaga Pendidikan Islam.” Indo-MathEdu Intellectuals Journal 5, no. 6 (2024): 6696–6709. https://doi.org/10.54373/imeij.v5i6.2108.

Azra, Azyumardi. Pendidikan Islam: Tradisi Dan Modernisasi Di Tengah Tantangan Milenium III. Prenada Media, 2019.

Bruinessen, M. V. “Traditionalist and Islamist Pesantren in Contemporary Indonesia in The Madrasa in Asia.” Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press, 2008.

Dhofier, Zamakhsyari. Tradisi Pesantren: Studi Pandangan Hidup Kyai Dan Visinya Mengenai Masa Depan Indonesia, 2019.

Geertz, Clifford. “The Javanese Kijaji: The Changing Role of a Cultural Broker.” Comparative Studies in Society and History 2, no. 2 (1960): 228–49.

Hidayat, M. Topit, Surya Suryadi, Nuri Latifannisa, Sefni Novita Sari, and Rino Rino. “Evolution of The Education Curriculum in Indonesia.” Journal of Innovation in Educational and Cultural Research 6, no. 2 (2025): 381–95. https://doi.org/10.46843/jiecr.v6i2.1312.

Horikoshi, Hiroko. Kyai Dan Perubahan Sosial. Perhimpunan Pengembangan Pesantren dan Masyarakat, 1987.

Krippendorff, Klaus. Content Analysis: An Introduction to Its Methodology. 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks, Calif: Sage, 2004.

Kusumawati, Ira. “Integrasi Kurikulum Pesantren Dalam Kurikulum Nasional Pada Pondok Pesantren Modern.” Sanskara Pendidikan Dan Pengajaran 2, no. 01 (2024): 1–7. https://doi.org/10.58812/spp.v2i01.293.

Lukens-Bull, Ronald. Islamic Higher Education in Indonesia: Continuity and Conflict. Springer, 2013. DOI:10.1057/9781137313416.

———. “Madrasa by Any Other Name: Pondok, Pesantren, and Islamic Schools in Indonesia and Larger Southeast Asian Region.” Journal of Indonesian Islam 4, no. 1 (2010): 1–21. https://doi.org/10.15642/JIIS.2010.4.1.1-21.

Mahfudh, KH Sahal. Nuansa Fiqh Sosial. Lkis Pelangi Aksara, 2003.

Majid, Nurcholish. “Bilik-Bilik Pesantren: Sebuah Potret Perjalanan.” (No Title), 1997. https://cir.nii.ac.jp/crid/1130282269484819584.

Nasution, Robby Darwis. “KYAI SEBAGAI AGEN PERUBAHAN SOSIAL DAN PERDAMAIAN DALAM MASYARAKAT TRADISIONAL.” Sosiohumaniora 19, no. 2 (July 6, 2017). https://doi.org/10.24198/sosiohumaniora.v19i2.10346.

Nata, H. Abuddin. Sejarah Pendidikan Islam. Kencana, 2014. https://books.google.com/books?hl=id&lr=&id=v_m2DwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=pendidikan+islam&ots=9XTvsjgLyE&sig=UsQ1QoCDmHuTHxVkk3Pkh_8g6WU.

Nawwir, Yush, Rahim Mansyur, and Ardi Ardi. “Revolusi Pendidikan Pondok Pesantren Tradisional Dalam Konteks Pendidikan Islam Indonesia.” Jurnal Ilmiah Islamic Resources 20, no. 1 (2023): 19–27. http://dx.doi.org/10.33096/jiir.v20i1.378.

Nurhayati, Retno, Isnaeni Isnaeni, Muyassarah Muyassarah, Makmur Jaya Nur Makmur Jaya Nur, and Suriyati Suriyati. “Adaptation of the Islamic Boarding School Education Curriculum as a Response to Developments in Learning Technology.” In Proceeding: International Conference On Pesantren, 1:1–12, 2024. http://ejournal.darunnajah.ac.id/index.php/icop/article/view/234.

Oudihat, Mohamed, and Che Amnah Binti Bahari. “Mapping the Islamic Discourse on Knowledge: The Relevance of the New Islamic Discourse.” AL-ITQAN: JOURNAL OF ISLAMIC SCIENCES AND COMPARATIVE STUDIES 9, no. 1 (2024): 72–96. https://doi.org/10.31436/alitqan.v9i1.293.

Raihani, Raihani. “Islamic Schools and Social Justice in Indonesia: A Student Perspective.” Al-Jami’ah: Journal of Islamic Studies 50, no. 2 (December 27, 2012): 279–301. https://doi.org/10.14421/ajis.2012.502.279-301.

Ramadhan, Narendra Jumadil Haikal, and Ahmad Abu Rizki. “Implementasi Kurikulum Merdeka Belajar di Pondok Pesantren DDI Mangkoso,” 2023. https://doi.org/10.35905/edium.v1i2.7524.

Saputera, Abdur Rahman Adi, and Meyer Tendean. “Peranan Kyai Dan Santri Dalam Mengimplementasikan Nilai Pendidikan Agama Ditengah Lajunya Arus Globalisasi Dan Fenomena Akulturasi Budaya Indonesia.” Ahsana Media: Jurnal Pemikiran, Pendidikan Dan Penelitian Ke-Islaman 6, no. 1 (2020): 11–20. https://doi.org/10.31102/ahsana..6.1.2020.11-20.

Shihab, Fajar, Anis Zohriah, Anis Fauzi, and UIN Sultan Maulana Hasanuddin. “Peran Kepemimpinan Kyai dalam Lembaga Pendidikan Islam,” 2023. https://doi.org/10.31004/jpdk.v5i2.14169.

Steenbrink, Karel A. “Pesantren, Madrasah, Sekolah: Pendidikan Islam Dalam Kurun Moderen.” (No Title), 1986. https://cir.nii.ac.jp/crid/1130282269277457920.

———. “Pesantren, Madrasah, Sekolah: Pendidikan Islam Dalam Kurun Moderen.” (No Title), 1986. https://cir.nii.ac.jp/crid/1130282269277457920.

Tan, Charlene. “Educative Tradition and Islamic Schools in Indonesia.” Journal of Arabic and Islamic Studies, 2014. https://hdl.handle.net/10497/17260.

Van Bruinessen, Martin. “Kitab Kuning, Pesantren Dan Tarekat, Yogyakarta.” Gading Publishing. Yogyakarta: Gading Publishing, 2015.

Zainuddin, Zainuddin. "Kiai dan Politik: Implikasi dan Masa Depan Lembaga Pendidikan Islam di Sumatera Selatan." Briliant: Jurnal Riset dan Konseptual 4.3 (2019): 331-340. https://doi.org/10.28926/briliant.v4i3.347

Zed, Mestika. Metode Penelitian Kepustakaan. Yayasan Pustaka Obor Indonesia, 2008.

Ziemek, Manfred, Butche B. Soendjojo, and B. Siregar. “Pesantren Dalam Perubahan Sosial.” (No Title), 1986. https://cir.nii.ac.jp/crid/1130000794205377920.