IMPLEMENTASI KURIKULUM MERDEKA PADA PEMBELAJARAN PENDIDIKAN AGAMA ISLAM (PAI) DI SEKOLAH DASAR TAHFIDZ QURAN (SDTQ) AS-SURKATI SALATIGA

After more than nine years, the government has officially replaced the 2013 Curriculum (K-13) with the Merdeka Curriculum. Apart from changing the name, the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum also changes the paradigm of the teaching and learning process in schools in terms of flexibility, personalisation, and focus on character development. This study aims to describe how the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum in Islamic Religious Education (PAI) learning at the primary school level. This research uses an instrumental case study approach with SDTQ As-Surkati as the research subject. Data and facts are extracted through interviews, document study, and observation of the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum. The implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum at SDTQ As-Surkati has been analyzed using the POAC (Planning, Organizing, Actuating, and Controlling) approach. Based on the analysis, it was found that SDTQ As-Surkati took the initiative to implement the Merdeka Curriculum in the school year 2022/2023. The initiative was based on the school's ability to adapt more quickly to the Merdeka Curriculum. In terms of PAI learning, the school uses the Merdeka Curriculum adapted to its needs. PAI lessons at SDTQ As-Surkati are divided into four sub-lessons, which are taught using the student-centred approach of the Merdeka Curriculum. Some sub-lessons are organised by prioritising the set objectives and orientations. The challenges encountered in implementing the Merdeka Curriculum in PAI (Islamic Education) learning include the provision of facilities and infrastructure as well as the limited allocation of learning time.