Implementation of Teacher Performance Evaluation Programs for Citizenship Education in Junior High Schools in Kota Selatan, Gorontalo City, Indonesia

The implementation of teacher performance evaluation is essential in ensuring the effective adoption of the Merdeka Curriculum, particularly in citizenship education (Pendidikan Pancasila) at the junior high school level.This study examines how teacher performance evaluation influences lesson planning, instructional delivery, and student assessment, identifying key challenges and opportunities for improvement.The research aims to provide insights into how evaluation practices can enhance teacher competency and curriculum implementation.Using a qualitative descriptive approach, this study conducted classroom observations, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis in several junior high schools in Kota Selatan, Gorontalo City.Participants included citizenship education teachers, school principals, and educational supervisors, selected through purposive sampling.Data were analyzed using an interactive model of qualitative analysis, focusing on identifying common themes, recurring challenges, and best practices.Findings reveal that many teachers struggle with lesson planning, particularly in aligning their instructional design with student-centered and competency-based learning approaches.Instructional delivery remains largely traditional, with limited adoption of active learning strategies and digital resources.Moreover, student assessment practices remain predominantly summative, with teachers demonstrating limited understanding of formative and diagnostic assessments.The study also highlights barriers such as inadequate professional training, inconsistent supervision, and insufficient learning resources.These findings underscore the need for structured teacher training programs, stronger administrative support, and enhanced access to instructional materials.By improving evaluation frameworks and professional development opportunities, teacher performance assessments can contribute to better instructional quality and curriculum effectiveness.Future research should explore long-term impacts of teacher evaluation on student learning outcomes and the role of technology in modernizing assessment practices.