READING THE DIRECTION OF ASEAN EDUCATION: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE CURRICULUM OF INDONESIA AND THAILAND

Abstract

Global educational developments are driving each country to undertake curriculum reforms to produce adaptive human resources with character and 21st-century competencies. Indonesia and Thailand are two countries in Southeast Asia with different curriculum policies but a common goal: improving the quality of education. This study aims to comparatively analyze the basic education curricula in Indonesia and Thailand based on their philosophical foundations, curriculum structure, learning approaches, assessment systems, and the relevance of the HighScope Curriculum. The study used a comparative qualitative approach through document analysis of the Merdeka Curriculum, Basic Education Core Curriculum B.E. 2551 (2008), UNESCO and OECD reports, and various relevant scientific articles. Data were analyzed through reduction, categorization, comparison, thematic interpretation, and conclusion drawing. The results show that both countries implement learner-centered learning, character building, and 21st-century competency development. The difference is that Indonesia places greater emphasis on curriculum flexibility through Learning Outcomes (CP), Learning Objective Paths (ATP), Teaching Modules, and diagnostic, formative, summative, and authentic assessments. Meanwhile, Thailand develops its curriculum through Eight Learning Areas, Grade-based Indicators, a Local Curriculum, and approaches such as Active Learning, Inquiry Learning, Experiential Learning, and an integrated assessment system. Thailand's learning approach also aligns with the Plan-Do-Review cycle of the HighScope Curriculum. This study concludes that both curricula have complementary strengths. Indonesia excels in learning flexibility, while Thailand is more consistent in integrating character education, local wisdom, and sustainability. These findings contribute to the development of curriculum policies in the ASEAN region through a policy learning approach that combines national identity with global competencies.