Teachers' Barriers in Implementing Merdeka Curriculum in Teaching English at Junior High School
Merdeka Curriculum
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24256/ideas.v13i2.6286Keywords:
English teachers barriers; Implementing Merdeka Curriculum; Teaching EnglishAbstract
This study examines the barriers encountered by English teachers in implementing the Merdeka Curriculum at UPT SMPN 1 Sabbang Selatan. The research employs a qualitative descriptive approach, with data collected through observations, interviews, and documentation. The findings reveal that teachers face significant challenges in curriculum comprehension, resource availability, and assessment adaptation. Specifically, teachers struggle with understanding differentiated instruction, utilizing digital tools, and developing student-centered learning strategies. Additionally, limited access to teaching resources and inadequate training hinders effective curriculum execution. Classroom observations indicate that while some teachers attempt to implement innovative strategies, traditional methods remain dominant due to insufficient support. Assessment practices also vary, with some teachers effectively using structured rubrics, while others lack proper evaluation techniques. The study concludes that addressing these barriers requires targeted professional development programs, enhanced resource allocation, and institutional support to improve curriculum implementation. Future research should explore intervention strategies to overcome these barriers and optimize English language teaching under the Merdeka Curriculum framework.
References
Abdul Pirol,Muammar Arafat, Sukirman, Pedoman Penilisan Skripsi,Tesis,dan Artikel Ilmiah IAIN Palopo. (2019)
Bani, M., & Masruddin, M. (2021). Development of Android-based harmonic oscillation pocket book for senior high school students. JOTSE: Journal of Technology and Science Education, 11(1), 93-103.
Cassell, Catherine & Gillian Symon, Essential Guide to Qualitative Methods in Organizational Research (SAGE Publications Ltd, 2004)
Curtis, Thomas E, Curriculum and Instruction for Emerging Adolescents (Addison-Wesley Educational Publishers Inc (1 January 1977))
Febia Ghina Tsuraya, Nurul Azzahra, Salsabila Azahra, and Sekar Puan Maharani, ‘Implementasi Kurikulum Merdeka Dalam Sekolah Penggerak’, Jurnal Pendidikan, Bahasa Dan Budaya, 1.1 (2022), pp. 179–88, doi:10.55606/jpbb.v1i1.860
Fitra, Septrida, and Yuli Tiarina, ‘An Analysis of English Teachers ’ Challenges in Implementing Merdeka Curriculum at SMAN 3 Solok Selatan’, Journal of English Language Teaching, 12.3 (2023), pp. 794–803, doi:10.24036/jelt.v12i3.124742
Husnaini, H. (2022). Development of Self Esteem-Oriented Micro Teaching Materials for IAIN Palopo English Education Students. IDEAS: Journal on English Language Teaching and Learning, Linguistics and Literature, 10(1), 538-560.
Kemendikbudristek, ‘Tahapan Implementasi Kurikulum Merdeka Di Satuan Pendidikan.’, Kemendibudristek, 2022, pp. 1–16 <https://kurikulum.kemdikbud.go.id/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Tahapan-Implementasi-Kurikulum-Merdeka.pdf>Kementerian, Kebudayaan Pendidikan, and dan Teknologi Riset, ‘Merdeka Belajar, Layanan Program Prioritas Kemendikbudristek’, Republik Indonesia
Lestari, Indah, ‘The English Teacher’s Perspective and Challenge on Implementing Merdeka Curriculum’, RETORIKA: Jurnal Ilmu Bahasa, 9.3 (2023), pp. 331–39
Meleong, Lexy J, Methodology Penelitian Kualitatif (PT Remaja Rosdakarya, 2009)
Mukhibin, Ahmad, and Bashirotun Nafidhoh, ‘The Teacher’s Barriers in Teaching Math in Implementing Merdeka Curriculum: Systematic Literature Review’, Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Matematika Al Qalasadi, 7.2 (2023), pp. 127–37, doi:10.32505/qalasadi.v7i2.7152
Nevenglosky, Erica A, Chris Cale, and Sunddip Panesar Aguilar, ‘Barriers to Effective Curriculum Implementation’, Research in Higher Education Journal, 36.1 (2018), pp. 112–34 http://www.aabri.com/copyright.html
Palangda, Listriyanti, Orbanus Naharia, Shelty D M Sumual, Lord Steward Ebe, and Larry Mandey, ‘Analysis of Barriers to Implementation of the Independent Curriculum Study the Merdeka Campus in the Department Economic Education Manado State University’, International Journal of Multidisciplinary Approach Research and Science, 1.02 (2023), pp. 125–32, doi:10.59653/ijmars.v1i02.64
Saputra, Andra, Nurhizrah Gistituati, Alwen Bentri, Ishak Aziz, and Abna Hidayati, ‘Analysis of Teacher Barriers in the Implementation of Institut Seni Indonesia Padang Panjang , Sumatra Barat , Indonesia Universitas Negeri Padang , Sumatra Barat , Indonesia’, 5.1 (2024), pp. 50–57
Sugiyono, E-Book Metode Penelitian Kuantitatif, Kualitatif, Dan RD (Bandung : Alfabeta., 2013)
Zucker, Tricia A., Erin Jacbos, and Sonia Q. Cabell, ‘Exploring Barriers to Early Childhood Teachers’ Implementation of a Supplemental Academic Language Curriculum’, Early Education and Development, 32.8 (2021), pp. 1194–1219, doi:10.1080/10409289.2020.1839288
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
Citation Check
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Wahyusi Muhtar, Masruddin, Wisran

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under an Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See the Effect of Open Access)