Exploring Educational Policy Innovations and Curriculum Development in Indonesian Higher Education: A Systematic Review

Authors

  • Asep Rosidin Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia Jalan. Dr. Setiabudhi No. 229 Bandung 40154 Jawa Barat, Indonesia
  • Sudirman Sudirman Makassar State University, PGSD Education Faculty: Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia Jalan. Tamalate I Tidung Makassar 90222 Makassar, Indonesia
  • Mohamad Irfan Mufti Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Tadulako University, Bumi Tadulako Tondo Palu – Central Sulawesi Campus, 94118, Indonesia
  • Susatyo Adhi Pramono Universitas wijaya Kusuma Purwokerto Jl. Raya Beji Karangsalam No.25Kec. Kedungbanteng Kab. Banyumas Jawa Tengah 53152-Indonesia
  • Lela Susanty STBA Yapari Bandung Jl. Cihampelas No.194, Cipaganti, Coblong, Kota Bandung, Jawa Barat 40131 Indonesia
  • Achmad Dudin Center for Educational Research, National Research and Innovation Agency Gedung Widya Graha, Jl. Gatot Subroto No.10 6th & 9th Floor, RT.6/RW.1, Kuningan Barat., Mampang Perapatan., Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12710, Indonesia
  • Ernawati Research and Evaluation Education Program, Postgraduate School of Universitas Muhammadiyah Prof.DR.HAMKA Jl. Warung Buncit Raya No. 17 A Pancoran, Jakarta Selatan, Indonesia
  • Ardian Arifin Universitas PGRI Pontianak, Kalimantan Barat Indonesia Jl. Ampera, Sungai Jawi, Kec. Pontianak Kota, Kota Pontianak, Kalimantan Barat 78114, Indonesia
  • M Dahlan R

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2025.3.943.958

Keywords:

curriculum, education policy, higher education, Merdeka Belajar, student autonomy

Abstract

Aim. This study examines the implementation of Indonesia's Merdeka Belajar curriculum in higher education, focusing on analysing educational policy and curriculum related to this initiative. The research aims to understand how the curriculum empowers students to choose their learning paths and address challenges related to disparities in resources and facilities across institutions.

Methods. Conducted through a systematic review, this research comprehensively reviewed literature from databases such as CINAHL, Pubmed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. Specific keywords like "educational policy," "Merdeka Belajar," "students," and "higher education" were used to identify relevant articles. The study analysed 20 articles to gain insights into the educational policy and curriculum aspects of Merdeka Belajar in higher education.

Results. The findings underscore the importance of customising education policies to recognise students' rights and empower them to explore their potential through the Merdeka Belajar curriculum. While the curriculum aims to enable students to choose their learning paths, challenges such as disparities in resources and facilities exist across institutions. It emphasises the need for thorough implementation reviews and adequate resources to promote equity and prevent disparities.

Conclusion. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing insight into the implementation of the Indonesian Independent Learning curriculum in higher education. Its originality lies in its focus on the analysis of education policy and curriculum aspects related to this initiative, especially in addressing challenges such as resource and facility gaps.

 

 

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Author Biographies

  • Asep Rosidin, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia Jalan. Dr. Setiabudhi No. 229 Bandung 40154 Jawa Barat, Indonesia

    Asep Rosidin- A student from the University of Education Indonesia since 2022 until now, the major he is pursuing is a Doctoral in Educational Administration. He is active in the organization of the Association of Driving Organizations and also the manager of the Assakinah boarding school. He also works at the National Online Instructor of Reading Literacy for the Ministry of Religion's AKMI Follow-up Program in 2024. And actively participated in several national level trainings. He is also active in international publications, both Scopus indexed journals and national journals. 

  • Sudirman Sudirman, Makassar State University, PGSD Education Faculty: Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia Jalan. Tamalate I Tidung Makassar 90222 Makassar, Indonesia

    He is Ph.D in Curriculum and Pedagogy from the National University of Malaysia, Assistant Professor at the State University of Makassar (Indonesia) in Department of Education. Tens of scientific publications, including articles, books, chapters, and teacher training papers.   Engage actively in seminars and conferences held domestically and internationally. A member of Nagoya Assembly Lesson Study 5th, Jepang. 

  • Mohamad Irfan Mufti, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Tadulako University, Bumi Tadulako Tondo Palu – Central Sulawesi Campus, 94118, Indonesia

    Dr. Moh. Irfan Mufti, M.Si., is an accomplished academic and practitioner in the field of public administration. He holds a bachelor's degree in public administration from Universitas Tadulako, a master's degree in public policy from Universitas Padjadjaran, and a Doctorate in Public Policy from Universitas Negeri Makassar.He is a senior lecturer in the Department of Public Administration at Universitas Tadulako, where he has been teaching since 1991. He also serves as a faculty member in the Master’s and Doctoral programs in Public Administration at the same university. Currently, he is the Head of the Master of Public Administration Study Program, a position he holds from 2024 to 2027.

  • Susatyo Adhi Pramono, Universitas wijaya Kusuma Purwokerto Jl. Raya Beji Karangsalam No.25Kec. Kedungbanteng Kab. Banyumas Jawa Tengah 53152-Indonesia

    Susatyo Adhi Pramono- obtained a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics from Diponegoro University, Semarang in 1992 and a Masters in Environmental Science postgraduate program from Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta in 2000. His research interests include the fields of Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Social and Cultural Environment, Environmental Management and Urban Environment.

  • Lela Susanty, STBA Yapari Bandung Jl. Cihampelas No.194, Cipaganti, Coblong, Kota Bandung, Jawa Barat 40131 Indonesia

    Lela Susanty- Doctoral Degree in English Education, lecturer at STBA Yapari Bandung, awarded in doctoral degree sandwich scholarship in Ohio State University Columbus, a member and steering committee of CYS and supervisor also international jury of ICYSS until present. 

  • Achmad Dudin, Center for Educational Research, National Research and Innovation Agency Gedung Widya Graha, Jl. Gatot Subroto No.10 6th & 9th Floor, RT.6/RW.1, Kuningan Barat., Mampang Perapatan., Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12710, Indonesia

    Achmad Dudin-Research Center for Education.Graduated From Universitas Negeri Jakarta in study program of Technology Education Research Focus on Religious Education and Curiculum 

  • Ernawati, Research and Evaluation Education Program, Postgraduate School of Universitas Muhammadiyah Prof.DR.HAMKA Jl. Warung Buncit Raya No. 17 A Pancoran, Jakarta Selatan, Indonesia

    Ernawati-Research and Evaluation Education Program, Postgraduate School of Universitas Muhammadiyah Prof.DR.HAMKA, Doctor in education, as an assistant professor at the University of Muhammadiyah Prof.DR. HAMKA Jakarta, Indonesia. Also As the Head of the Master's Study Program in Educational Research and Evaluation Program at the postgraduate school from 2019 to 2023. Wrote more than 40 article publications including publishing in some journals and books. Lead the editorial board of the UHAMKA Journal Penelitian dan Penilaian Pendidikan (JPPP) 

  • Ardian Arifin, Universitas PGRI Pontianak, Kalimantan Barat Indonesia Jl. Ampera, Sungai Jawi, Kec. Pontianak Kota, Kota Pontianak, Kalimantan Barat 78114, Indonesia

    Ardian Arifin. Born in Jakarta, Indonesia in 1976. He is Lecturer On University PGRI Pontianak and a Doctor of Philosophy, Razak Faculty of Technology and Informatics, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. He is also a Lecturer at Pontianak University of Teacher Training. He is also active in writing in Scopus indexed journals. He has experience in research in the fields of Education, Multimedia and also the vocational field. In addition, he is also active in teacher organizations in West Kalimantan. 

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Published

2025-09-23

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 2 (2025): Journal of Education Culture and Society

Section

LOCAL CULTURES AND SOCIETIES

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Copyright (c) 2025 Asep Rosidin, Sudirman Sudirman, Mohamad Irfan Mufti, Susatyo Adhi Pramono, Lela Susanty, Achmad Dudin, Ernawati, Ardian Arifin; M Dahlan R

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How to Cite

Rosidin, A., Sudirman, S., Mufti, M. I. ., Pramono, S. A., Susanty, L., Dudin, A., Ernawati, & Arifin, A. (2025). Exploring Educational Policy Innovations and Curriculum Development in Indonesian Higher Education: A Systematic Review. Journal of Education Culture and Society, 16(2), 943-958. https://doi.org/10.15503/jecs2025.3.943.958