The Historical Development of the National Curriculum

Abstract

The curriculum is a fundamental component of the education system that continuously evolves in response to social and political dynamics as well as societal needs. Curriculum changes are closely related to the demands of the times and government policies in addressing various educational challenges. This study aims to examine the development of the educational curriculum in Indonesia from the post-independence period to the contemporary era. This research employs a qualitative approach with a library research design. Data collection was conducted through documentation techniques by examining various literature sources, including books, scholarly journal articles, and educational policy documents relevant to the research topic. Data analysis was carried out through the stages of data condensation, data display, and conclusion drawing and verification. The findings indicate that the curriculum in Indonesia has undergone several changes influenced by the development of the times, societal needs, and government policies in the field of education. In general, the development of the curriculum in Indonesia can be classified into three main periods: the Old Order era, the New Order era, and the post-reform era. Each period possesses distinct characteristics and orientations of educational policy, which are reflected in the structure and approaches of the implemented curricula. This research presents a structured historical analysis of the Indonesian curriculum based on historical periods, while also explaining the determining factors underlying curriculum changes from social, political, and educational policy perspectives. This study is expected to serve as an academic reference for understanding the dynamics of curriculum development in Indonesia over time. Future research is recommended to further examine the implementation of curricula in each period and their impact on learning practices and the quality of education at various educational levels.