PIKIRAN RAKYAT - The government abolished the science, social studies, and language majors that were previously applied in high schools. The reason is that the elimination of the major is the implementation of the Independent Curriculum, so that the student's knowledge base is more relevant for further study plans.

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) explained that the elimination of majors in high schools has been implemented gradually since 2021. A year later, in 2022, to be precise, around 50 percent of schools have implemented the Independent Curriculum.

"In the current 2024 school year, the level of implementation of the Independent Curriculum has reached 90-95 percent for elementary, junior high, and high school/vocational schools," said the Head of the National Standards Agency for Curriculum and Educational Assessment (BSKAP) of the Ministry of Education and Culture, Anindito Aditomo in a written statement in Jakarta on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.

In grades 11 and 12 of high school, students whose schools use the Independent Curriculum can choose subjects more freely according to their interests, talents, abilities, and aspirations for further study or career.

For example, a student who wants to study in an engineering study program can use elective class hours for advanced mathematics and physics subjects, without having to take biology subjects.

In contrast, a student who wants to study medicine can use elective lesson hours for biology and chemistry maples, without having to take advanced math maps.

That way, students can focus more on building a relevant knowledge base for their interests and future study plans. The Ministry of Education and Culture assesses that more focused and in-depth preparation is difficult to do if students are still grouped into science, social studies, and language majors.

"When there is a division of majors, most students choose a science major which is not necessarily based on reflection on their talents, interests, and career plans, but because science majors are given more privilege in choosing a study program in higher education," said Anindito Aditomo.

By removing majors in high school, the Independent Curriculum encourages students to explore and reflect on their interests, talents, and career aspirations, as well as provides opportunities to take elective subjects more flexibly according to the plan.

Besides, the elimination of majors in high school also eliminates discrimination against students majoring in non-science majors in the national selection of new students. With the Independent Curriculum, all high school and vocational school graduates can apply to all study programs through the test route, without being limited by their majors in high school/vocational school.

The Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Nadiem Makarim. Antara/Galih Pradipta.

The Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Nadiem Makarim, emphasized that the implementation of the Independent Curriculum is a national curriculum. He emphasized this at the peak of the commemoration of National Education Day 2024 at the Indonesia Arena, Gelora Karno, Jakarta, on Friday, May 3, 2024.

"The Merdeka Curriculum has been implemented voluntarily by more than 300,000 educational units and this year we will start implementing it nationally. And great things will happen if we continue this movement," said Nadiem.

The Independent Curriculum has become part of Independent Learning episode 15. Nadiem is optimistic that the programs in Merdeka Learning can have a long-term impact.

The implementation of the Independent Curriculum into a national curriculum has also been emphasized through the Regulation of the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Number 12 of 2024 concerning the Curriculum in Early Childhood Education, Primary Education, and Secondary Education. The regulation was published on March 27, 2024.

Nadiem believes that various potentials and talents of students can develop with the implementation of the Independent Curriculum. Through this curriculum, students are expected to develop critical thinking and creativity in solving problems.

“Students are also expected to collaborate and be innovative,” he said.

Previously, Nadiem said, schools that have not implemented the Independent Curriculum are still given time to learn it. The Ministry of Education and Culture stated that schools are given a minimum of 2 years or in the 2026-2027 Academic Year to implement this curriculum.

As for educational units located in the Frontier, Outermost, and Disadvantaged (3T: Terdepan, Terluar, Tertinggal) areas, they can implement the Independent Curriculum no later than 3 years or the 2027-2028 Academic Year.

Description: The elimination of high school majors in Indonesia marks a significant shift towards the Independent Curriculum, providing students with greater flexibility to choose subjects aligned with their interests and career aspirations. The Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Nadiem Makarim, said that this approach aims to foster a more relevant and personalized educational experience, encouraging critical thinking and creativity.*** (Politeknik Negeri Bandung/Sintia Yuliana)