Biak – Merdeka Belajar curriculum is an educational concept that aims to give students the freedom to organize and determine their learning methods. This concept was initiated by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemendikbud Ristek) and is part of the Indonesia Pintar program. Merdeka Belajar Curriculum encourages all students to be more active in learning according to their way, not just passively following the curriculum that has been compiled by the government. Thus, students do not only passively follow the curriculum that has been prepared by the government but are also given the independence or freedom to determine how to learn according to their own needs.
Merdeka Belajar Curriculum is designed to increase teacher creativity by providing freedom in developing the learning process. Teachers are given the freedom to choose various teaching tools and adapt learning strategies according to student needs and interests. Thus, teachers can better understand student needs and be creative in learning, improve the quality of education, and increase teachers’ creativity.
The Biak Numfor District Education and Culture Office (Disdikbud) said schools in the region, starting in the 2024/2025 school year, are preparing to realize a pleasant learning transition from Early Childhood Education (PAUD), to Elementary School (SD), and Madrasah Ibtidaiyah (MI) or equivalent as an implementation of the Merdeka Belajar Curriculum. The policy for a pleasant learning transition from PAUD to SD will begin with the Period of Introduction to the School Environment (MPLS) in school education units. This was revealed directly by the Head of the Early Childhood Education and Non-formal Education Division of the Biak Numfor District Education and Culture Office, Endang Suhendi.
During the fun learning transition period, education units must remove the reading, writing, and counting (listing) test from the registration process for new student admissions (PPDB) for SD / MI / Equivalent. This is done because every child has the right to get basic education services in Papua and Indonesia. Reading, writing, and counting tests have been banned by Government Regulation No. 17/2010 on the Management and Implementation of Education and Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology Regulation No. 1/2021, on the Admission of New Learners.
Endang hopes that PAUD, SD, and MI, can get to know students further through learning activities. With the learning provided, the target is more appropriate and effective to pleasure students and students transitioning from Early Childhood Education (PAUD) to Elementary School (SD). It is known, according to the education calendar, the schedule for accepting new students for the 2024/2025 academic year begins in early July 2024.
Currently, there are 165 elementary schools in Biak Numfor Regency, Papua, Indonesia. SD Negeri I Biak Kota is one example of a public primary school located on Jalan Selat Sunda No 10 Biak, Biak Numfor Regency. In addition, there are several other elementary schools such as SD Inpres Ridge 2, SD YPK Imanuel Agung Samofa, SD Kartika Biak, and SD YPK YENDIDORI, as well as several others.