Implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum in the Teaching of the Qur’an and Hadith
Abstract
This study examines the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum in Al-Qur’an Hadith instruction at MTsN 1 Palu City. Employing a qualitative descriptive approach, data were collected through classroom observations, semi-structured interviews with one Al-Qur'an Hadith teacher and three Grade VII students, and documentation review. The data were analyzed using the interactive model of Miles and Huberman, consisting of data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. Findings reveal that while teachers have adopted the required instructional frameworks, the practical application of differentiated instruction is significantly hindered by large class sizes (40 students per class) and disparities in students' Qur'anic literacy. Teachers address these challenges by conducting remedial sessions outside of school hours, maintaining strict instructional control over digital devices, and fostering mentor-like personal relationships with students. The study concludes that the effectiveness of the Merdeka Curriculum in a madrasa setting depends not only on administrative adherence but also on the teacher’s ability to balance firm classroom management with a humanistic, responsive approach to student needs. These findings offer practical implications for teacher professional development in managing diverse classroom environments.
References
Albaab, A. S., & Thobroni, A. Y. (2025). Kajian Ayat La Yukallifullahu Nafsan Illa Wus‘Aha (Qs. Al-Baqarah: 286) Sebagai Landasan Konsep Pendidikan Berdiferensiasi Dalam Kurikulum Merdeka. Tarbiya Islamia : Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Keislaman, 15(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.36815/tarbiya.v15i1.3545
Ap, D., Tumonglo, Y. T., & Mar’ah, F. H. (2025). Differentiated Learning in the Merdeka Curriculum: A Literature Review on School Practices. Journal of English Language and Education, 10(4), 1535–1544.
Apdoludin, A., & Martinisyamin, M. (2022). Modeling Analysis, Findings, Development, Organizing the Material and Learning for Students in Islamic Boarding Schools. Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 8(1), 25–36. https://doi.org/10.15575/jpi.v8i1.15277
Arnilawati, A., & Khermarinah, K. (2026). Improving Elementary School Students’ Learning Outcomes through Cooperative Learning Models in Islamic Religious Education. Jurnal Indonesia Kajian Pendidikan Islam, 2(1), 11–19. https://doi.org/10.64420/jikpi.v2i1.364
Astuti, M. S., Azis, A., & Anshari, M. R. (2025). Fikih Learning Through Differentiated Models: Pembelajaran Fikih Melalui Model Diferensiasi. Halaqa: Islamic Education Journal, 9(1), 51–61. https://doi.org/10.21070/halaqa.v9i1.1717
Chasanah, Y. P. B. U. (2021). Solusi Terhadap Problematika PAI di Sekolah: Proses Pembelajaran. HEUTAGOGIA: Journal of Islamic Education, 1(1), 84–97. https://doi.org/10.14421/hjie.2021.11-07
Dinana, M. F., Makhfud, M., & Mukhlison, Moch. (2024). The Use of Differentiated Instruction in Achieving Learning Objectives of Islamic Religious Education in the Merdeka Curriculum. Jurnal Intelektual: Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Studi Keislaman, 14(1), 79–92. https://doi.org/10.33367/ji.v14i1.5318
Dwi, S. (2023). Analisis Perbandingan Implementasi Kurikulum 2013 dan Kurikulum Merdeka di SD Negeri 6 Pangkalpinang. EDOIS: Journal of Islamic Education, 1(2), 59–72. https://doi.org/10.32923/edois.v1i02.3691
Edi Nurhidin & Maimunatun Habibah. (2024). Transforming Islamic Religious Education Learning through Differentiated Learning in the Merdeka Curriculum. Kognisi: Jurnal Ilmu Keguruan, 2(2), 77–90. https://doi.org/10.59698/kognisi.v2i2.261
Hasnahwati, Tobroni, Haris, A., & Romelah. (2025). Differentiation-Based Innovations in Islamic Education: A Study within Indonesia’s Merdeka Curriculum Framework. Progresiva : Jurnal Pemikiran Dan Pendidikan Islam, 14(01), 85–98. https://doi.org/10.22219/progresiva.v14i01.37688
Hidayat, R., & Patras, Y. E. (2024). Education transformation in Indonesia requires the implementation of differentiated learning. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education (IJERE), 13(3), 1526. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijere.v13i3.27658
Ijudin, I., Wakila, Y. F., & Anton, A. (2022). Implementing Active Learning to Increase Student’s Learning Interest in Islamic Religious Education. Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 8(1), 51–62. https://doi.org/10.15575/jpi.v8i1.17437
Iqtianti, H., Sari, D. kurnia, Yunita, T., Wati, F. A., Anisak, S. darojatun, Rofiq, A. A., & Ali, M. M. (2025). Implementasi Kurikulum Merdeka Pada Pembelajaran PAI. Tasyri’: Jurnal Tarbiyah – Syari’ah Islamiyah, 32(01), 156–167. https://doi.org/10.70281/tasyri.v32i01.871
Ismail, S. M., Nikpoo, I., & Prasad, K. (2023). Promoting self-regulated learning, autonomy, and self-efficacy of EFL learners through authentic assessment in EFL classrooms. Language Testing in Asia, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40468-023-00239-z
Kemendikbud. (2022). Panduan Pembelajaran dan Asesmen Kurikulum Merdeka. Jakarta: Kementerian Pendidikan, Kebudayaan, Riset, dan Teknologi.
Kementerian Agama RI. (2022). Capaian Pembelajaran Pendidikan Agama Islam dan Bahasa Arab Kurikulum Merdeka pada Madrasah. Jakarta: Kementerian Agama RI.
Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative Data Analysis: An Expanded Sourcebook (2nd ed.). Sage Publications.
Murharyana, M., Ayyubi, I. I. A., Komarudin, K., Suryana, I., Noerzanah, F., & Rahmawati, S. (2024). Differences and Interactions between Learning Outcomes, Learning Model, and Gender in Islamic Religious Education. Southeast Asian Journal of Islamic Education, 6(2), 181–195. https://doi.org/10.21093/sajie.v6i2.8472
Nining, A. (2024). Implementasi Prinsip Pembelajaran Kurikulum Merdeka Melalui Penerapan Model Pembelajaran PAI Berbasis Heart to Heart di SMA. Permata : Jurnal Pendidikan Agama Islam, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.47453/permata.v5i1.1968
Nurlaili, N., Suhirman, S., & Lestari, M. (2023). Pembelajaran Berdiferensiasi dengan Memanfaatkan Multimedia pada Pembelajaran Pendidikan Agama Islam(PAI). Belajea: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 8(1), 19. https://doi.org/10.29240/belajea.v8i1.6808
Nurpratiwi, S., Effendi, M. R., & Amaliyah, A. (2021). Improving Religious Literacy Through Islamic Religious Education Course Based On The Flipped Classroom. Istawa Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 6(1), 16–16. https://doi.org/10.24269/ijpi.v6i1.3107
Pranajaya, S. A., Rijal, M. K., & Ramadan, W. (2023). The Distinction of Merdeka Curriculum in Madrasah through Differentiated Instruction and P5-PPRA (Pt. 463-468). Jurnal Sustainable, 6(1).
Purwanti, K. L., Rofiq, M., Fashihah, I., & Romaniyah, R. (2024). Analyzing the Merdeka Curriculum Implementation at Pilot Islamic Elementary Schools in Semarang, Indonesia. Journal of Integrated Elementary Education, 4(1), 26–41. https://doi.org/10.21580/jieed.v4i1.21249
Rahmawati, A., Noviansyah, W., Adisucipto, T. L., Tamrin, A., & Kaffa, A. S. (2024). Social-Emotional Integrated Differentiated Learning in Vocational Schools: A Study of Educational Development. JPI (Jurnal Pendidikan Indonesia), 13(4), 736–745. https://doi.org/10.23887/jpiundiksha.v13i4.83675
Ridha, Z., Sabariah, H., & Maulana, I. (2024). Implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum in Al-Qur’an Hadith Learning at Madrasah Aliyah. Indonesian Journal of Islamic Education Studies (IJIES), 7(1), 86–99. https://doi.org/10.33367/ijies.v7i1.5281
Suharti, P., Listiana, L., Daesusi, R., Sutarni, S., Rahmaniati, R., Zakaria, Y., & Nagy, E. (2024). Advancing Collaborative Competence: Instrumentation Development and Integration Strategies for Effective Learning. Indonesian Journal on Learning and Advanced Education (IJOLAE), 6(1), 137–155. https://doi.org/10.23917/ijolae.v6i1.23214
Syahda, A. Z., & Wahyuningsih, D. (2024). Problematika Implementasi Kurikulum Merdeka Pada Pembelajaran PAI. AL-MUADDIB: Jurnal Kajian Ilmu Kependidikan, 6(4), 807–822. https://doi.org/10.46773/muaddib.v6i4.1230
Tomlinson, C. A. (2014). The differentiated classroom: Responding to the needs of all learners (2nd edition). ASCD.
Umam, A. S., Shohibuddin, M. R., & Selamet. (2025). Pengembangan Desain Pembelajaran Pai Melalui Implementasi Kurikulum Merdeka Di Sdn 3 Nasol, Cikoneng Kabupaten Ciamis. Pendas : Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan Dasar, 10(4), 286–302. https://doi.org/10.23969/jp.v10i4.35087
Wibowo, M. T., Sitepu, N. A. S., Jannah, M., & Halimah, S. (2025). Analisis Implementasi Kurikulum Merdeka dalam Pembelajaran PAI Berbasis Kebutuhan Siswa: Studi Kasus di SMP Karya Serdang Lubuk Pakam. EDU SOCIETY: Jurnal Pendidikan, Ilmu Sosial Dan Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat, 5(1), 1434–1445. https://doi.org/10.56832/edu.v5i1.1066
