Embracing the Dream of Independent Learning for Educational Progress

The Merdeka Belajar program is presented to support learning for students and teachers in a fun and flexible manner.

KOMPAS/ESTER LINCE NAPITUPULU

Minister of Education and Culture Nadiem Anwar Makarim took a photo with all performers at the musical concert "Embracing Dreams" presented by the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Titimangsa cultural community at Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta on Thursday (25/4/2024). The concert featured an orchestra music accompaniment from SMKN 2 Kasihan, Bantul, DI Yogyakarta, along with several famous artists.

The spirit of Freedom to Learn is the government's mainstay in realizing educational transformation that provides safe, enjoyable and meaningful learning so that students develop fully according to their potential. Therefore, the continuation of Merdeka Belajar so that children, educators and the government experience real change in education is a dream that is shared together.

The invitation to embrace the dream of changing the nation through education was presented through a musical concert presented by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology and the Titimangsa cultural community. The concert featured musicians from students from SMK Negeri 2 Kasihan, Bantul, Yogyakarta Special Region, at the Merdeka Theatre, Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta, Thursday (25/4/2024) evening.

The performance entitled "Embracing Dreams: Freedom to Learn, Freedom to Love" provides a stage for vocational school students in music to collaborate with a number of well-known artists, such as Sherina Munaf, Mawar de Jongh, Ario Bayu, Nyoman Paul, Isyana Saravati, and Happy Salma. This concert was also held to welcome National Education Day 2 May 2024.

Also read: Freedom to Learn, Freedom in the Future

Approximately one hundred students from the first music school in Indonesia, from SMKN Negeri 2 Kasihan, Bantul, or formerly known as Sekolah Menengah Menengah Musik (SMM) Yogyakarta, dressed in white uniforms with gray pants, were involved as music accompanists and choir members.

They accompany beautiful classical and pop music performances with violin, violin, viola, cello, contrabass, clarinet, oboe, flute, bassoon, french horn, trombone, tuba, trumpet, percussion, piano, electric guitar, keyboard, acoustic guitar, saxophone, and piano. This musical concert conveys the spirit of never giving up on achieving dreams and is a reflection of the sustainability of the Merdeka Belajar movement.

"The transformation process requires patience. We have been busy planting roots for almost five years. Only now can we see the blossoming of change. We entrust Merdeka Belajar to all of you," said Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Nadiem Anwar Makarim in his monologue.

The dream of Merdeka Belajar, which is hoped to be realized and sustained, is revealed in a poem delivered by Nadiem, who led the musical concert performance of Embracing Dreams.

…But in every child's heart there is a hidden dream, a desire to learn without being judged, a strong belief that he has competence, a desire to be seen as an independent human being.

Every teacher has a feeling in their hearts that perhaps ancient methods are no longer relevant, that lifelong learners cannot possibly be produced by rigor, memorization and standardization.

Both children and teachers must be given space to be creative, innovate, even to struggle. The classroom becomes a stage and an opportunity to discover each person's identity.

YOVITA ARIKA

Minister of Education and Culture Nadiem Anwar Makarim makes a speech at the virtual launch of Merdeka Belajar Episode 5: Mover Teachers, Friday (3/7/2020), in Jakarta.

Nadiem added that this musical concert aims to provide space for the students of SMKN 2 Kasihan who are part of the educational transformation in Indonesia. Through the Merdeka Belajar program, students can express their work, think, and express themselves through relevant and enjoyable learning.

The performance also serves as concrete evidence of the collaborative spirit between the Directorate General of Vocational Education, Directorate General of Culture, cultural professionals, and educational units. This concert also enriches the experiences of students and teachers, improves their competencies, and strengthens the cultural ecosystem through education, particularly vocational education.

Real learning

The head of SMKN 2 Kasihan in Yogyakarta, Turino, welcomed the collaboration fully supported by the Ministry of Education and Culture. This collaboration provides an opportunity for students and teachers to perform on a grand stage with professionals. Learning with the spirit of Merdeka Belajar provides space for the education world to encourage students to learn in a real way.

"For our students, they have been prepared with the basics to follow the developments in the music industry. Indeed, the foundation is mastering classical music, but they can quickly adapt to pop and dangdut music. Collaboration with the music industry drives the spirit of children to develop into high-quality music talents," said Turino.

Also read: Nadiem Makarim: Freedom to Learn is Not Just a Policy, but a Joint Movement

KOMPAS/ESTER LINCE NAPITUPULU

More than 100 students and teachers from SMKN 2 Kasihan, Bantul, DI Yogyakarta, served as escorts for the musical concert "Embracing Dreams" at Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta, on Thursday (25/4/2024).

According to Turino, during the preparation process for the musical concert, students from SMKN 2 Kasihan were very focused, enthusiastic, and excited to present the best show. The students have a dream of becoming professionals in the field of music at the national and international level.

This collaboration with the music industry encourages children's enthusiasm to develop into high-quality musical talents.

Director General of Vocational Education at the Ministry of Education and Culture and Technology Kiki Yuliati explained that the musical concert "Embracing Dreams" provides valuable experience and learning, especially for students as future professional musicians.

"The experience of this concert will become a sweet memory and story forever for the students and teachers of SMKN 2 Kasihan, Bantul, and other involved vocational high school students," said Kiki.

Furthermore, Kiki revealed that this performance showcased the talents of students and teachers in the orchestra. In addition, students from various departments at other vocational high schools also volunteered and participated in the performing arts industry. "They were involved in handling makeup, costumes, stage preparation, food preparation and arrangement, logistics, show administration, and so on," Kiki continued.

The results of learning through the teaching factory scheme that the school has adapted so far have trained them so they are ready to perform a grand concert.

Alexius Ravel Bagas, a percussion player, stated that being given the opportunity to play alongside famous artists is a pride. "This makes me not allowed to have half-hearted dreams. If I want to become an orchestra player abroad, I must be able to pursue it," said Ravel, a twelfth-grade student who wants to study at the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Yogyakarta, and then looks for an S-2 scholarship in music abroad.

Audy Mutiara Alexandria, a violin player, admits that she did not expect to have the opportunity to be involved in a musical concert supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology. They also collaborated with well-known artists and singers.

"I am excited to collaborate with well-known people in the music field. They continue to encourage us to pursue our dreams. There is a process to go through to achieve success and this is just the beginning. I want to seriously become an orchestra player while preparing myself to become a music teacher," said Audy, a 12th-grade student who also wants to continue their studies at the ISI Yogyakarta.

One of the performers involved in the musical concert, Sherina Munaf, who played Larasati, revealed, "Being a part of a show that tells the story of the ups and downs of achieving dreams made me reflect on my own dreams and the next generation of us all."