Evaluation of the Implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum in Educational Development Management at Senior High Schools

Abstract

The Merdeka Curriculum is a strategic policy of the Indonesian government aimed at transforming the education system to be more flexible, student-oriented, and capable of answering the challenges of the times. However, the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum at the Senior High School (SMA) level is not free from various challenges, particularly regarding the readiness and effectiveness of education development management at the educational unit level. This study aims to evaluate the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum within the framework of education development management in SMA by systematically examining the aspects of planning, execution, and curriculum evaluation. This research uses a qualitative approach with a library research method, reviewing various scientific literature sources such as Google Scholar-indexed journal articles, academic reference books, and official government policy documents relevant to the Merdeka Curriculum and secondary education management. Data collection techniques were carried out through documentation, while data analysis used content analysis, which included stages of data reduction, theme categorization, synthesis, and conclusion drawing. The results indicate that conceptually, the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum in SMA has encouraged learning flexibility and student character strengthening; however, in practice, it still faces obstacles in the aspect of education development management, such as suboptimal planning, human resource readiness, and a curriculum evaluation system that has not been fully integrated. The evaluation of the Merdeka Curriculum implementation has not yet been fully utilized as a basis for managerial decision-making for sustainable education development. Therefore, a comprehensive and sustainable evaluation within the framework of education development management is needed so that the Merdeka Curriculum implementation can proceed more effectively and provide a real impact on improving the quality of education in Senior High Schools.