Preserving South Kalimantan Cultures and Supporting Creative Economy: Best Practices from a Kindergarten in Banjarmasin

Merdeka’s curriculum allows teachers to tailor learning experiences that align with students’ interests, abilities, and learning styles. This research explores the realm of best practices in the Merdeka curriculum implementation in TK Aisyiyah Bustanul Athfal 42 Banjarmasin. This study identifies strategies and advantages for effective Merdeka curriculum development that covers local cultures, drawing on a comprehensive literature review and empirical case study. The researchers employed a qualitative approach using a case study design. As an instrument in this study, the researchers were present in the field to collect, process, and check the validity of the data obtained. An observation, documentation, and interview were conducted with the school principal and teachers to obtain the best practice with the STAR method. It is found that the learning in class is integrated with South Kalimantan cultures under the theme “Aku Cinta Budayaku,” covering local cultures such as tanggui, sasirangan, and topi purun that are brought to class. The school principal, teachers, students, and parents are involved in the implementation. The learning has been implemented in the form of a project that students have run once a week for the whole semester since 2022. The students are actively involved in all activities. Integrating local cultures in classes aims to enhance educational quality, involve the preservation of the culture, and support the creative economy.