INTEGRASI KURIKULUM MERDEKA DENGAN KONSEP PENDIDIKAN HINDU KUNO “GURUKULA” PADA SEKOLAH MENENGAH PERTAMA

Abstract

Education serves as a fundamental pillar in developing superior and character-driven human resources. The Merdeka Curriculum, as Indonesia's primary educational policy, emphasizes learning based on student independence and character development through a contextual and holistic approach. Meanwhile, the ancient Hindu educational system known as “Gurukula” represents a traditional education model that prioritizes the emotional closeness between teacher and student, as well as character formation within a residential learning environment. This study aims to describe how the integration between the Merdeka Curriculum and the Gurukula educational concept is implemented at the junior high school level. Employing a descriptive qualitative research method, data were collected through participatory observation, in-depth interviews, and document analysis at SMP Gurukula Bangli, Bali. The findings indicate that the integration of these two approaches occurs simultaneously, promoting values of spirituality, local culture, and student independence that align with the learning process and school environment. Additionally, the study reveals challenges in balancing curriculum modernization with the preservation of traditional values and offers recommendations for future curriculum development. This research is expected to provide significant contributions to the advancement of local wisdom-based education through the Merdeka Curriculum approach.