Voices from the classroom: perceptions and obstacles in Indonesian curriculum reform

Teachers are pivotal to curriculum reform success, yet Indonesia's education system faces persistent challenges despite recent reforms. Over two decades, The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) rankings have consistently placed Indonesia among the low-performing countries. This study examines elementary school teachers' perceptions of reforms using the Concerns-Based Adoption Model (CBAM) and in-depth interviews with eight experienced teachers across Indonesia. Findings reveal optimism for improved education quality alongside concerns over technical readiness, limited resources, adaptation struggles, and inadequate infrastructure. Adding to the difficulties of the transition, teachers face increased workloads, struggle with time management, and require more support from school principals. These insights highlight the complexities of curriculum reform implementation in Indonesia. Policymakers must address these challenges to support successful teacher adaptation and improve educational outcomes.