Transforming Indonesian Primary Education Through Creativity Development in the 21st Century
Abstract
Purpose of the study: This research aims to analyze the urgency and strategies for developing creativity in basic education in Indonesia, especially in elementary schools, as the foundation for the formation of human resources that are adaptive, innovative, and ready to face the challenges of 21st century education.
Methodology: This study used a standard printed questionnaire without a brand, manual observation sheets, and photo documentation using an Android phone camera (Samsung Galaxy A series). The methods applied include descriptive qualitative approaches, thematic analysis, literature studies, student surveys, and teacher reflection. The software used is Microsoft Word 2019 and Mendeley Desktop.
Main Findings: The development of creativity in elementary schools has been shown to increase students' learning motivation by 41% and ecological awareness by 24%. Project-Based Learning and the Learning Cycle approach are effective in encouraging creative thinking across subjects. The role of teachers as creative role models is a key factor in creating a safe, participatory, and classroom climate oriented towards the originality of ideas and contextual problem solving.
Novelty/Originality of this study: The novelty of this research lies in the integration of the 4P framework of creativity with empirical data on student voices and teacher reflections in rural elementary schools. This study shows that environment-based contextual creativity and PjBL not only increase learning motivation, but also ecological awareness. These findings broaden the understanding of creativity development as an adaptive strategy for primary education in the VUCA era.
References
A. Abduloh, A. Trisnawati, T. Sutinah, “The role of creativity in building innovative school management in the digital era.” Tahsinia Journal, vol. 6, no. 5, pp. 725–739, 2025.
A. R. Listianto, Daniel, N. Hikmah, “The relevance of changes in the Indonesian curriculum towards the challenges of 21st century education.” Scientific Journal of Elementary Education, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 248–263, 2025.
B. Aji, I. Kartika, C. Putri, R. R. Mahestra, S. Uswatun, and L. A. Putri, “Deconstructing digital education: the output of renewable innovation is progressing (OERIP) curriculum as a catalyst for research and innovation-based educational transformation.” FKIP Journal, pp. 23–30, 202.
A. Pigai and S. Suharto, “Education on the utilization of the surrounding environment as a learning media at Jayanti state elementary school, Nabire District.” Independent Service Journal, vol. 3, no. 12, pp. 1215–1222, 2024. doi: 10.53625/jpm.v3i12.9301
B. Arifin and A. Mu, “Development of skills-based curriculum in facing the demands of 21st century competencies.” Daarus Tsaqofah, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 118–128, 2024. doi: 10.62740/jppuqg.v1i2.23
F. Arisanti, S. D. Laksana, S. Zuhri, and N. Achmadi, “Transforming early childhood and elementary school education through digital gamification: creative solutions to increase engagement and learning achievement.” Journal, vol. 5, pp. 208–233, 2025.
I. F. Azzahra, M. Rizky, and R. Rahmadhani, “Independent curriculum: A study of the potential and implementation challenges in realizing flexible education in Indonesia.” Indonesian Journal of Education: Theory, Research and Innovation, vol. 5, no. 3, 2025. doi: 10.59818/jpi.v5i3.1530
G. Bangsawan, “Digital transformation acceleration policy in Indonesia: Opportunities and challenges for creative economy development.” Journal of Public Policy Studies, vol. 2, no. 5, pp. 27–40, 2023. doi: 10.21787/jskp.2.2023.27-40
M. H. Basri, I. Suherman, and M. R. Ramdhani, “Analysis of the principal's role as a leader in developing teacher professionalism in islamic boarding school-based educational institutions.” Karimah Tauhid, vol. 3, no. 8, pp. 9187–9208, 2024. doi: 10.30997/karimahtauhid.v3i8.15024
D. Lazwardi and R. P. Sanca, “Future educational technology ecosystem.” Journal Jkrisetmetrolampung, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 2–10, 2024. doi: 10.47902/edunesis.v1i1
A. Dharin and I. A. Lestari, “Communication and collaboration ability through steam learning based project based learning (PJBL) grade V elementary school.” Journal, vol. 9, no. 5, pp. 2632–2637, 2023. doi: 10.29303/jppipa.v9i5.3255
E. Nurfitriani, “Innovative learning strategies to improve 21st century skills in elementary school students.” Scientific Journal of Elementary Education, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 270–284, 2025.
A. Fuadi and A. Dharin, “Development of learning cycle-based science learning devices to improve elementary school students' creative thinking ability.” Journal, vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 2118–2124, 2023. doi: 10.29303/jppipa.v9i4.3335
G. Selvia and I. Muttaqin, “The strategic role of leadership in designing and implementing educational institution reform models.” Reflection: Islamic Education Journal, vol. 1, no. 4, pp. 211–220, 2024. doi: 10.61132/reflection.v1i4.274
H. Norjanah and L. A. Agustina, “Ki Hajar Dewantara's paradigm towards the development of the 2013 curriculum and the independent curriculum.” Psikosospen: Journal of Psychosocial and Education, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 14–32, 2025.
A. M. Q. Haq and M. I. Fitriani, “Integrated learning environment through independent curriculum in improving teacher performance.” Scientific Journal of Educational Professions, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 1775–1784, 2024. doi: 10.29303/jipp.v9i3.2394
Y. Y. Heryanti et al., “The meaning and implementation of the independent learning curriculum and its relevance for student development in elementary schools: A critical review in a pedagogical review.” Jurnal Elementaria Edukasia, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 1270–1280, 2023. doi: 10.31949/jee.v6i3.6118
H. L. Kartikasari and A. W. M., “The effect of experiential learning model on students' problem-solving abilities in environmental issues-based science learning.” STITNU Al Hikmah Journal, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 77–87, 2025. doi: 10.69896/modeling.v12i3.2947
S. Ihda, A. Masduki, and A. Hilyah, “Independent curriculum: curriculum flexibility for teachers and students.” Journal, vol. 2, no. 5, pp. 86–92, 2023.
P. Kurniati, A. L. Kelmaskouw, and A. Deing, “The independent curriculum innovation process model: implications for 21st century students and teachers.” Journal of Citizenship Virtues, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 408–423, 2022.
D. M. Maulidina et al., “The role of schools and leading teachers in the implementation of the independent curriculum at SDN Sungai Andai 3.” MARAS: Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 1118–1130, 2024. doi: 10.60126/maras.v2i2.339
J. G. Mongkau, R. Daniel, and H. Pangkey, “Independent curriculum: Strengthening 21st century skills for the golden generation.” Journal, vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 22018–22030, 2024.
M. A. Ahwani and S. Syahlarriyadi, “21st century competency-based integrative Islamic education learning planning model towards Indonesia's golden generation 2045.” Syaikhona: Journal of Islamic Religious Education Masters, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 1–30, 2025. doi: 10.59166/syaikhona.v3i2.332
P. Muliawan, “Analysis of the implementation of the independent curriculum in Indonesian language teaching: literature review of current issues and challenges.” Journal, pp. 7932–7942, 2024.
A. Mulyana et al., “The positive role of extracurricular activities in elementary school environments for students.” Journal of Early Childhood Education, vol. 1, no. 4, 2023. doi: 10.47861/khirani.v1i4.650
N. Indriani, I. Suryani, and L. M., “Implementation of the independent learning curriculum in developing the disciplined character of students in elementary schools.” Scientific Journal of Education, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 242–252, 2023. doi: 10.30595/jkp.v17i1.16228
M. Ningrum, Maghfiroh, and R. Andriani, “Independent learning curriculum based on differentiated learning in Madrasah Ibtidaiyah.” EL Bidayah: Journal of Islamic Elementary Education, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 85–100, 2023. doi: 10.33367/jiee.v5i1.3513
N. Hasanah, D. Aulia, and Z. Ikmawati, “Challenges and opportunities for the teaching profession in the era of globalization.” Journal of Educational Sciences, vol. 3, no. 4, pp. 605–613, 2025.
OECD, “PISA 2022 Results: Factsheets.” OECD Publishing, 2023.
D. Qondias, Active and fun science: animated video inquiry model for elementary school teachers. Nilacakra, 2025.
R. D. Rahmawati et al., “Cognitive development of elementary school students through edutainment learning strategies.” Scientific Journal of PGSD FKIP Uni, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 242–256, 2024.
R. Rahayu, S. Iskandar, “Transformational leadership of school principals in 21st-century learning in elementary schools.” Jurnal Elementaria Edukasia, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 278–286, 2023. doi: 10.31949/jee.v6i2.5484
A. Rahim, B. Ismaya, and A. Info, “Character education in the independent learning curriculum: challenges and opportunities.” Journal, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 88–96, 2023.
R. L. Anggraita and A. M., “Understanding Indonesian cultural diversity through traditional miniature projects in social science learning in elementary schools.” Scientific Journal of Elementary Education, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 205–222, 2025. doi: 10.23969/jp.v10i01.21665
A. Savitri, Demographic bonus 2030: answering the challenges and opportunities of education 4.0 and the business revolution 4.0. Genesis 1 Publisher, 2019.
A. S. Sitepu, Student Creativity Development. Guepedia, 2019.
Z. R. Sitepu, “Efektivitas model pembelajaran berbasis proyek dalam meningkatkan kreativitas siswa di sekolah dasar.” Eruditio: Journal of Elementary School Teacher Education, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 6–14, 2025.
N. Sukmana, “The role of education in welcoming the demographic bonus towards golden Indonesia in 2045.” Darma Agung Journal, vol. 32, no. 5, pp. 306–316, 2024. doi: 10.46930/ojsuda.v32i5.4825
T. Sunaryati, D. Safarina, and S. A. Purnomo, “The importance of character education to form creative and innovative characters for elementary school students.” Journal of Universal Research Research, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 12–19, 2025.
N. I. Yunianti, “Encouraging children's creativity through arts learning in elementary schools.” Multidisciplinary Indonesian Center Journal, vol. 1, no. 4, pp. 1752–1764, 2024. doi: 10.62567/micjo.v1i4.263
Copyright (c) 2026 Kartika Sari, Siswadi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and acknowledge that the Journal of Basic Education Research is the first publisher licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges and earlier and greater citation of published work.
.png)
.png)
.png)
