"Quality education aims to ensure that students experience progress in learning, so that they are more competent and have (noble) character," the Ministry's Head of the Educational Standards, Curriculum, and Assessment Agency (BSKAP) Anindito Aditomo stated during a webinar titled "Future Education Trends: Opportunities and Challenges" held by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) here on Tuesday.
Aditomo explained that the Merdeka Belajar Program aims to realize the fourth Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4): "to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all."
Quality education focuses on developing students' basic competencies and character that is formulated in the Pancasila Student Profile.
"We have a formulation called the Pancasila Student Profile, which is a dimension of basic competencies and character that we want to grow through education," he explained.
Aditomo pointed out that the second goal aspect of the Merdeka Belajar is equality wherein all students must have the opportunity to experience quality education.
"(All students should have the opportunity to avail quality education) regardless of where they live in Indonesia and regardless of religion, cultural background, and socioeconomic (conditions)," he stated.
Related news: People should help one another to realize Merdeka Belajar: Minister
He said through Merdeka Belajar, the government tackles the protracted learning crisis that has not improved from year to year.
From the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) data he cited, in the last two decades, the progress in basic skills of Indonesian students, such as the ability to comprehend reading text, solve problems using simple mathematics formulas, and reason scientifically, had still been stagnant.
Hence, the Merdeka Curriculum is focused on addressing the learning crisis through prioritizing essential materials, character development and soft skills, and flexible teaching.
The Merdeka Curriculum also encourages transformation in human resource development through widening the capacity of teachers and principals.
Related news: Kampus Merdeka Fair as event for insight exchange on MBKM
Translator: Fitra A. Kenzu T
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
