The Merdeka Curriculum as a Reflection of National Identity: Dynamics of Character Education Based on Local Wisdom in South Sumatra
Keywords:
Merdeka Curriculum, National Identity, Local Wisdom, Character Education, Hybrid IdentityAbstract
This study explores how the Merdeka Curriculum reflects national identity through character formation among students in South Sumatra. Using a qualitative case study approach involving interviews and classroom observations at three junior high schools, the research investigates how local wisdom values are integrated into teaching practices to cultivate students’ religious, social, and nationalistic character. The findings reveal that teachers employ contextual pedagogical strategies rooted in Malay-Sumatran traditions, Islamic values, and community-based activities, shaping a hybrid student identity one that intertwines national values with local cultural roots. This identity formation process demonstrates the strong potential of the Merdeka Curriculum as a medium for character education and national cohesion. The study recommends strengthening the integration of local content in curriculum design and reinforcing the teacher’s role as a mediator of national values through a local cultural lens
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