The New Face of the Merdeka Curriculum 2025: Teachers Face Three Big Challenges: AI, Coding, and Deep Learning

NoLimit Indonesia – The world of Indonesian education is racing again. After successfully introducing the Independent Curriculum, the government is now adding new challenges as outlined in the latest Ministerial Regulation (Permendikdasmen No. 13 of 2025).

These rules are not just administrative, they actually change the way teachers teach. Starting in 2025, teachers in Indonesia will face three main demands: mastering Deep Learning, incorporating coding, and being familiar with using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the classroom.

Focus of the New Merdeka Curriculum: From Memorization to Deep Understanding

Educational reforms under the Merdeka Plus Curriculum fundamentally change the goals of learning. The emphasis is now no longer on the speed of “completing the material” of the curriculum, but on the “depth of understanding.”

If the old model often forced students to simply memorize facts, this new demand requires teachers to ensure students not only know, but also truly master the concepts. Students must be able to use the knowledge gained to solve real problems and apply them in life contexts.

As emphasized by the Director General of GTK, the key to success is creating depth from existing flexibility. Therefore, teachers are now required to design collaborative projects between subjects (interdisciplinary) and prioritize continuous feedback (formative assessment), instead of just relying on rigid final exam results.

Coding & AI: From Choice to Core Need

The second challenge is technology. Coding lessons (basic programming) which were previously only extracurricular have now become very important. The goal is to train computational thinking (Computational Thinking) students’ ability to break down large problems into small steps.

Apart from that, teachers must start using AI (Artificial Intelligence) as a teaching tool. This could be AI automatically creating quiz questions, or chatbots education that helps personalize student learning.

Mandatory Program for Teachers

To prepare teachers, the Ministry of Basic Education has established four mandatory technology programs that must be followed, integrated into Teacher Professional Education (PPG):

1. Basic Coding Certification: All teachers must understand the basic concepts of coding, not just ICT teachers.
2. Generative AI Training: Learn to use AI tools, such as the educational version of ChatGPT, to create fast and adaptive teaching materials.
3. Digital Ethics: Training on how to safely and responsibly use technology and student data.
4. Industry Partnerships: A short program to see how Coding and AI are really applied in the modern world of work.

Teacher System Reform: Fair and Equitable

Support for this curriculum transformation comes from teacher management reforms:

• New Performance Assessment: Teacher performance assessment (MKKG) no longer focuses on administrative backlogs or a rigid number of face-to-face hours. The main value of the teacher will be seen from their real impact on students’ critical thinking abilities and how well they integrate technology.
• Equal distribution of ASN Teachers: The government will also implement an equalization policy. State Civil Service teachers (ASN/PNS/PPPK) who are redundant at one school can be transferred or temporarily assigned to private schools or remote areas that lack staff. The goal: ensure that all students in Indonesia receive high-quality teachers.

Crucial Issue: The Teaching Profession in the Shadow of AI

The massive inclusion of AI and coding in the curriculum raises fundamental questions about the fate of the teaching profession in the future. Will AI replace teachers?

According to global education reports and experts, the answer is “No, but the role of teachers is changing drastically.”

The Shifting Role of the Teacher: From Transmitter of Knowledge to Soul Coach

• AI Replaces Routine Tasks: Technologies such as automated assessment platforms and adaptive learning material generators will take over most of teachers’ routine and administrative tasks. This is in line with the view of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) which emphasizes that AI should be used to increase teacher efficiency, not to eliminate them (Source: UNESCO Global Education Report).
• Focus on Emotional Intelligence: Things that cannot be replaced by AI are the human touch, character formation, motivation and emotional intelligence (Emotional Intelligence). Future teachers must focus more on being mentors, critical discussion facilitators, and mental health guides for students.
• Threat of Gaps: The biggest challenge is not AI itself, but rather teacher readiness and equitable distribution of digital infrastructure. Teachers who fail to master AI literacy risk falling further behind. In addition, the World Bank highlights that many schools in 3T areas still have limited internet access, which has the potential to widen the gap in education quality between urban and rural areas (Source: World Bank Education Survey).

Opportunities and Early Warning for Teachers

For teachers who are proactive and enthusiastic about learning, this is a golden opportunity. Measurable performance and new competencies will provide a fast track to promotion, benefits and professional recognition.

However, for teachers who refuse to adapt, this is an early warning. Failure to master Deep Learning, Coding, and AI will affect their performance evaluation and professional status.

The challenges are big, but the goal is noble: to create a generation of Indonesian students who are ready to compete globally thanks to teaching that is relevant, in-depth, and supported by future technology.