PENGEMBANGAN KURIKULUM SEKOLAH SEBAGAI UPAYA MENINGKATKAN KUALITAS PENDIDIKAN DAN PENGUATAN KARAKTER PESERTA DIDIK

Abstract

Curriculum development is a fundamental aspect of improving the quality of national education, oriented toward the formation of superior and character-driven human resources. This article aims to analyze the relationship between curriculum development, educational quality improvement, and character strengthening among students in the era of the Merdeka Curriculum. This study employs a literature review method combined with in-depth interviews with curriculum developers in educational institutions. Data were obtained from various scientific literatures and field studies. The findings indicate that curriculum development in Indonesia has undergone a significant evolution from the school-Based Curriculum (KTSP) and the 2013 Curriculum to the Merdeka Curriculum, which is more flexible, contextual, and humanistic. The Merdeka Curriculum emphasizes student-centered learning through differentiated learning and deep learning approaches that enable students to think critically, creatively, and collaboratively. Furthermore, the integration of intracurricular and co-curricular activities such as the Project for Strengthening the Profile of Pancasila Students (P5) and the “Seven Habits of Great Indonesian Students” program has proven effective in enhancing learning quality while instilling core character values such as independence, responsibility, cooperation, and social awareness. This study also finds that teachers play a strategic role as both curriculum implementers and role models in integrating character values into the learning process. Improving teachers’ professionalism and pedagogical awareness is a key factor in the successful implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum. Therefore, curriculum development serves not only as a tool to enhance academic competence but also as a medium for shaping students’ character and national identity that are adaptive to global challenges.