Pancasila Education is one of the most highlighted distinctions in the Kurikulum Merdeka. Although it contains similar material to Pancasila and Citizenship Education (PPKn) in the 2013 Curriculum (K13), it is now designed to be delivered to students in a more engaging way.

Traditional character education, which primarily involved rote memorization of Pancasila principles, history, and national figures, has been deemed ineffective as it fails to achieve its intended goals. Students acquire theoretical knowledge without applying it in their daily lives.

Furthermore, teachers often present this subject by merely reading from textbooks, causing students to become easily bored and undervalue the lessons.

What is the Strengthening Pancasila Student Profile Project?

Under the leadership of Nadiem Makarim, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology aims to revamp the image of Pancasila Education. This aligns with the Kurikulum Merdeka, which prioritizes creativity and innovation among educators as the frontline of school education.

The subject is now designed to be enjoyable and relevant to students' daily lives.

Specifically, for the subject formerly known as Pendidikan Moral Pancasila during the New Order era, the goal is to shape students with the following characteristics:

1. Faithful, devoted to God Almighty, and of noble character
2. Embracing global diversity
3. Cooperative and community-minded
4. Independent
5. Critical thinker
6. Creative

The Strengthening Pancasila Student Profile Project within the curriculum serves as an initiative by the Ministry to achieve these educational objectives.

Project-based learning connects subject matter with real-life experiences, making lessons more engaging.

To support this, the Ministry has introduced seven optional themes and two mandatory themes for students at all educational levels (elementary, junior high, and senior high/vocational school).

Teachers and students work on these projects throughout the academic year, considering four key aspects:

• The school's and teachers' readiness to implement the selected project.
• Alignment with the national academic calendar and national/international observances.
• Current issues and relevant topics linked to the themes.
• The themes rotate annually, potentially repeating after completing a full cycle.

9 Themes of Character Development Projects in Pancasila Education and Example Activities

Below are the nine themes for strengthening students' character in Pancasila Education, along with example activities:

1. Sustainable Living

This theme aims to increase students' awareness of the short- and long-term impacts of human activities, both positive and negative. The goal is to cultivate environmentally friendly attitudes and behaviors.

Example activities:

• Encouraging students to separate waste and dispose of it in designated bins.
• Promoting healthy eating habits with nutritious food instead of junk food.

2. Local Creativity

Students explore local cultures to address identity crises caused by the fading of cultural and traditional wisdom.

Example activities:

• Assigning students to research and document local cultural traditions and customs.
• Organizing cultural performances showcasing local traditions.

3. Unity in Diversity (Bhinneka Tunggal Ika)

This theme teaches students to engage in respectful dialogues and appreciate religious and cultural diversity. It also raises awareness of negative stereotypes and ways to prevent violence stemming from discrimination.

Example activities:

• Discussing issues related to diversity in Indonesia.
• Learning about classmates’ different religious customs and how to show respect.

4. Building Mental and Physical Resilience

This theme addresses the rising cases of bullying in Indonesia. It aims to develop students' awareness and skills to maintain physical and mental well-being, equipping them to prevent and address bullying for themselves and others.

Example activities:

• Creating anti-bullying posters.
• Discussing different forms of bullying and self-protection strategies.

5. Democratic Voice

This theme fosters and nurtures a sense of democracy among students.

Example activities:

• Holding class and student organization elections, simulating general elections.
• Conducting discussions to establish class discipline rules and sanctions through consensus.

6. Engineering and Technology for National Development

Students collaborate to develop creative problem-solving skills and empathy by designing simple yet useful technologies.

Example activities:

• Creating biopori holes as a simple technology to manage waste and improve water absorption.
• Learning water purification techniques.

7. Entrepreneurship

This theme helps students identify their local region's economic potential and existing challenges. It aims to increase students’ empathy and encourage them to find solutions that benefit society, the environment, and the economy.

Example activities:

• Recycling inorganic waste into useful and economically valuable products.
• Organizing Market Days at school on specific days.

8. Work Readiness (Mandatory for Vocational Schools)

This theme helps vocational school students understand employment opportunities and prepare for the workforce.

Example activities:

• Discussing career aspirations and the necessary skills for their chosen professions.
• Inviting students’ parents with different careers to share their job experiences and paths to success.

9. Workplace Culture (Mandatory for Vocational Schools)

This theme focuses on instilling positive work ethics and behaviors to prepare students for professional environments.

Example activities:

• Internships or job placements at companies to learn workplace culture.
• Discussions on work ethics, discipline, and workplace regulations.

These themes and projects provide a structured yet flexible approach to strengthening students' character through Pancasila Education. Schools and teachers can further develop activities tailored to their students' needs, ensuring meaningful learning experiences. Hopefully, this initiative will foster a generation that embodies the values of Pancasila in their daily lives!