Gov’t Rolls Out Merdeka Curriculum, Merdeka Mengajar App

Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Nadiem A. Makarim at the online launching, Friday (02/11). (Image source: a screenshot)

In a bid to rejuvenate post-pandemic learning system, Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Nadiem Anwar Makarim has announced plans to roll out the Merdeka Curriculum and Merdeka Mengajar app.

Nevertheless, education units are free to determine one of three curricula to be implemented, namely the 2013 Curriculum, the Emergency Curriculum (2013 Curriculum simplified), or the Merdeka Curriculum.

“The Government will prepare a questionnaire to help education units assess their readiness to implement the Merdeka Curriculum,” Nadiem said at the online launch, Friday (02/11).

The Minister also underscored the importance of simplifying the 2013 Curriculum. “The Emergency Curriculum is effective in mitigating the lag in learning/teaching activities during the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added.

According to Nadiem, the structure in the Emergency Curriculum is more flexible, focuses on essential materials, and provides flexibility for teachers to use various teaching tools according to the needs and characteristics of students.

Teachers are also provided with the Merdeka Mengajar app which offers plenty of references for teachers’ development and share good practices.

In the meantime, Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas—whose ministry is in charge of the Islamic education units—gives his full support to Education Ministry for the implementation of the policy in 2022 as a measure to rejuvenate learning system.

“I believe the curriculum is able to encourage learning activities that support students’ competencies and provide a wider space for character development and basic competencies,” Yaqut said. (Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology PR/UN) (GWH/MMB)