The Influence of Teacher’s Performance and School Environment on the Implementation of Curriculum Merdeka
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59175/pijed.v5i1.899Keywords:
Implementation of Curriculum Merdeka, School Environment, Teacher’s PerformanceAbstract
This study aims to examine the influence of teacher performance and school environment on the implementation of the Curriculum Merdeka at SMA Negeri 5 Palembang. A quantitative approach with a survey method was employed. The sample consisted of 68 teachers selected purposively. Data were collected through questionnaires and analyzed using multiple linear regression. Findings revealed that: (1) teacher performance significantly influences Curriculum Merdeka implementation (p = 0.000 < 0.05) with a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.646; (2) school environment significantly influences curriculum implementation (p = 0.000 < 0.05) with R² of 0.586; and (3) simultaneously, both variables significantly affect implementation (p = 0.000 < 0.05) with R² of 0.723, indicating that 72.3% of the variance in curriculum implementation is explained by teacher performance and school environment together. The research provides early empirical validation of key determinants specifically influencing the rollout of Indonesia's new Curriculum Merdeka policy, examining both human and contextual factors within a localized school setting. Schools should prioritize continuous teacher professional development and cultivate supportive physical and psychosocial environments to ensure effective curriculum implementation aligned with policy objectives. The study contributes evidence-based insights to educational policy discourse, demonstrating that successful curriculum reform requires simultaneous investment in teacher quality and conducive institutional conditions.
References
Abbaspour, F., Hosseingholizadeh, R., & Bellibaş, M. Ş. (2024). Uncovering the Role of Principals in Enhancing Teacher Professional Learning in a Centralized Education System. International Journal of Educational Management, 38(3), 873–889. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-12-2023-0654
Ben Gurion, S., & Nasir, N. (2024). Teacher Readiness in Implementing “The Merdeka Curriculum.” Journal of Education and Teaching (JET), 5(1), 108–118. https://doi.org/10.51454/jet.v5i1.321
Engida, M. A., Iyasu, A. S., & Fentie, Y. M. (2024). Impact of Teaching Quality on Student Achievement: Student Evidence. Frontiers in Education, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1367317
Fauzan, F., Ansori, R. A. M., Dannur, M., Pratama, A., & Hairit, A. (2023). The Implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum (Independent Curriculum) in Strengthening Students’ Character in Indonesia. Aqlamuna: Journal of Educational Studies, 1(1), 136–155. https://doi.org/10.58223/aqlamuna.v1i1.237
Fauzi, R., Usman, A., Hayati, N. N., & Nasihudin, M. D. (2023). Homogeneous Learning Style Grouping in Supporting Differentiated Learning Process of Students. Jurnal Teknologi Pendidikan, 1(2), 9. https://doi.org/10.47134/jtp.v1i2.77
Febrianningsih, R., & Ramadan, Z. H. (2023). Teacher Readiness in Implementing the Independent Learning Curriculum in Elementary Schools. Jurnal Obsesi : Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 7(3), 3335–3344. https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v7i3.4686
Han, F. (2021). The Relations between Teaching Strategies, Students’ Engagement in Learning, and Teachers’ Self-Concept. Sustainability, 13(9), 5020. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13095020
Irma Yunita, Junaidi, Darul Ilmi, Iswantir M, & Muhammad Arif. (2025). Correlation Study: Perception, Teaching Readiness, and Teacher Performance in the Independent Curriculum at SMAN Kota Bukittinggi. Irfani, 21(1), 27–37. https://doi.org/10.30603/ir.v21i1.6280
Kanya, N., Fathoni, A. B., & Ramdani, Z. (2021). Factors Affecting Teacher’s Performance. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education (IJERE), 10(4), 1462. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijere.v10i4.21693
Komariah, A., Wiyono, B. B., Rusdinal, R., Abdullah, Z., & Kurniady, D. A. (2023). Developing an Educational and Cognitive Competence Model for Future Teacher’s for Independent Work – The Case of Indonesia. International Journal of Instruction, 16(3), 149–170. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2023.1639a
Kusumawati, E., & Umam, K. (2025). Strengthening Teacher Competence for Leading and Sustaining the Implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum. Cogent Education, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2501458
Lim, W. M. (2025). What is Quantitative Research? An Overview and Guidelines. Australasian Marketing Journal, 33(3), 325–348. https://doi.org/10.1177/14413582241264622
Mian, S. H., Salah, B., Ameen, W., Moiduddin, K., & Alkhalefah, H. (2020). Adapting Universities for Sustainability Education in Industry 4.0: Channel of Challenges and Opportunities. Sustainability, 12(15), 6100. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12156100
Nguyen, D., & Ng, D. (2020). Teacher Collaboration for Change: Sharing, Improving, and Spreading. Professional Development in Education, 46(4), 638–651. https://doi.org/10.1080/19415257.2020.1787206
Nur Aisyah, & Faelasup, F. (2024). Implementation of the Independent Curriculum in the Teaching and Learning Process at SMP Negeri 1 Kaliorang. AL-AMIYAH: Jurnal Ilmiah Multidisiplin, 1(02), 163–174. https://doi.org/10.71382/aa.v1i02.142
Pak, K., Polikoff, M. S., Desimone, L. M., & Saldívar García, E. (2020). The Adaptive Challenges of Curriculum Implementation: Insights for Educational Leaders Driving Standards-Based Reform. AERA Open, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/2332858420932828
Prihastari, E. B., & Widyaningrum, R. (2024). Teachers’ Understanding of the Implementation of the Independent Curriculum in Elementary Schools. Jurnal Kajian, Penelitian dan Pengembangan Kependidikan, 15(1), 88–95.
Ritonga, T. N. (2021). Teacher Experience and Professional Competence on Teacher Performance. Al-Liqo: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 6(2), 195–216. https://doi.org/10.46963/alliqo.v6i2.463
Syamiya, E. N., Yunarti, T., Nurcahyawati, E., Wahab, A. Y. L., Sutriyanti, N. K., Fahmi, R., & Cahyati, S. S. (2022). Learning Innovation “Improving Teacher Quality”.Yayasan Wiyata Bestari Samasta.
Turan, G. (2025). Advancing Sustainable Development with Enhancing the Quality of the Environment: The Role of Human Resources Through Education Expansion and Technological Innovation in Türkiye. Journal of the Knowledge Economy. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-025-02666-0
Ulandari, W., & Santaria, R. (2020). Teacher Professional Development Strategy Through Education and Training. Kelola: Journal of Islamic Education Management, 5(1), 57–68. https://doi.org/10.24256/kelola.v5i1.1412
Wahyudi, A., Qomariah, N., & Sanosra, A. (2022). Analysis of the Effect of Teacher Competency and Work Environment on Teacher Performance with Motivation as Intervening Variable at Private Vocational School in Bondowoso District. International Journal of Management Science and Information Technology, 2(1), 19–27. https://doi.org/10.35870/ijmsit.v2i1.462
Warsihna, J., Ramdani, Z., Amri, A., Kembara, M. D., Steviano, I., Anas, Z., & Anggraena, Y. (2023). Challenges and Strategies of Implementing the Independent Curriculum at Elementary School Level: A Multi-Perspective Finding. Kwangsan: Jurnal Teknologi Pendidikan, 11(1), 296. https://doi.org/10.31800/jtp.kw.v11n1.p296--311
Yang, X., & Kaiser, G. (2022). The Impact of Mathematics Teachers’ Professional Competence on Instructional Quality and Students’ Mathematics Learning Outcomes. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 48, 101225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cobeha.2022.101225
Yumarna, Y., Kusumawati, Y., & Fuaddudin, F. (2025). Strengthening the Pancasila Student Profile Project to Develop Student Innovation and Creativity. Journal of Instructional and Development Researches, 5(2), 150–158. https://doi.org/10.53621/jider.v5i2.506
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Meiliza Hastuti, Bukman Lian, Muhammad Fahmi

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.




