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A Decade of Educational Development, Increasingly Impactful and Beneficial
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O
ver the past decade, the development of the education sector in Indonesia has progressed rapidly. This cannot be separated from the policies and programs designed by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, which aim to ensure fairness, equity, and improved access to comprehensive education. The positive impacts of these policies have been felt not only by students but also by educators, education personnel, and the wider community.
Vivi Andriani, Head of the Planning Bureau at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, emphasized the importance of efforts to enhance fairness, equity, and expand access to education. She stated that several policies have been implemented by the ministry, including educational assistance programs such as the Indonesia Smart Program and Affirmation of Secondary and Higher Education.
“There are still many children who do not have adequate access to education, and some have not attended school at all. Therefore, these policies must be ensured to work,” said Vivi during the *Merdeka Belajar* (Freedom to Learn) webinar broadcast on the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology’s YouTube channel on Thursday (October 17).
She added that over the last five years, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology has implemented several key policies through the *Merdeka Belajar* program. These efforts aim to ensure that learning in schools is more student-centered and aligned with the potential and capacity of each educational institution. This is also supported by balanced funding, such as the distribution of Educational Operational Assistance (BOS) funds, allocated differently based on region and the needs of each educational institution, such as for special education schools (SLB) and vocational schools (SMK).
Vivi explained that, aside from improving student learning outcomes, the *Merdeka Belajar* program has also had a positive impact on education as a whole. Teachers are now encouraged to continuously learn and develop themselves through training available on the *Merdeka Mengajar* (Freedom to Teach) Platform (PMM). “Educational transformation is not only aimed at students but also at teaching staff. Teachers are now more prepared and competent to teach using more effective methods,” she said.
In the same seminar, Fitriana, the National Coordinator of the *Kami Pengajar* (We Educators) Community, shared her perspective as a teacher on the impact of *Merdeka Belajar*. According to her, the program has spurred transformation in various areas, including educational technology, policy, leadership, and curriculum.
“Merdeka Belajar has motivated teachers to continue learning. In addition to enhancing teachers' competencies, the program also improves educational facilities and ensures that teachers work in safe and comfortable environments,” Fitriana said.
Susi Sukaesih, Chair of the *Sidina/Ibu Penggerak* (Sidina/Mother Movers) Community, stated that more than 200 facilitators are ready to help socialize *Merdeka Belajar* from the perspective of parents.
“We help with socialization. Our audience consists of parents and students, with the most requested topic from students being awareness about bullying,” she said.
Susi mentioned that parents are very pleased with the *Merdeka Belajar* program because it is highly relevant and in line with current developments. She also encouraged her peers to create the *Ibu Penggerak* movement.
“I started this in 2022 and organized online training sessions on updates to *Merdeka Belajar* programs, such as the *Merdeka Curriculum*, the *Pancasila Student Profile*, and the *Prevention and Handling of Violence in Educational Institutions* (PPKSP),” she explained.
Some of the *Merdeka Belajar* programs she appreciates include the policy for a smooth transition from early childhood education (PAUD) to elementary school (SD), the PPKSP program that provides a safe space for students, teachers, and principals, the *Indonesian Book Information System* (SIBI), and the *Merdeka Curriculum*.
“With the *Merdeka Curriculum*, students now engage more in project-based learning, challenging them to be creative,” Susi added.
Meanwhile, Almendo Imanuel, a student beneficiary of the *Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka* (MBKM) program, praised the *Kampus Merdeka* program for having a tremendous and positive impact on him.
“The program I participated in, *Merdeka Student Exchange*, has had a significant impact on me, bringing about many changes and improvements, such as fostering enthusiasm, self-confidence, and the ability to compete,” he said.
Almendo is a Physics Education student from the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education at Musamus University, Merauke. He participated in the *Merdeka Student Exchange* (PMM) Batch 4 and achieved the accolade of Best *PMM Inbound UI Tribal Leader* for Batch 4.
The government remains committed to continuing and developing existing educational policies to ensure the achievement of Indonesia’s 2045 Golden Vision. In this context, national educational development over the past ten years has been a significant milestone in the effort to create a generation that is not only academically smart but also prepared to face evolving global demands.
