Designing a Culture-Based Learning Model: A Qualitative Exploration for Strengthening Local Identity in Primary Education

Authors

  • Sri Sugiyarti Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia
  • Mukminan Mukminan Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia
  • Sujarwo Sujarwo Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21831/jpip.v17i2.91847

Keywords:

Culture-based learning, local identity, primary education, curriculum integration, Javanese culture

Abstract

In an era of globalization, the erosion of local cultural identity among young learners presents a critical challenge for educational systems. This study addresses this gap by designing a comprehensive culture-based learning model aimed at strengthening the local identity of primary school students. Employing a qualitative exploratory case study design, data were collected from five elementary schools in Sleman, Yogyakarta, through in-depth interviews with principals, teachers, students, and community stakeholders, complemented by classroom observations and document analysis. The findings culminate in a three-pillar Culture-Based Learning Model: (1) Curricular Integration, embedding local wisdom (e.g., Javanese folklore, language) and experiential arts (e.g., batik, gamelan) into core subjects; (2) Structured Extracurricular Programs for deeper cultural immersion; and (3) the creation of a Culturally Responsive School Environment. The model is operationalized through implementation strategies emphasizing community collaboration and digital technology, alongside a robust tripartite evaluation mechanism assessing cognitive understanding, attitudinal pride, and practical skills. The study demonstrates that systematic cultural integration fosters early internalization of local values, builds resilience against global homogenization, and strengthens community-school ties. This research provides educators and policymakers with a theoretically grounded and actionable framework for designing learning ecosystems that effectively preserve cultural heritage while nurturing culturally confident students.

References

Afryanto, S. (2012). Internalisasi Nilai Kebersamaan melalui Pembelajaran Seni Gamelan (Pendidikan Karakter bagi Mahasiswa). Panggung, 23(1), 30–41. https://doi.org/10.26742/panggung.v23i1.85

Benson, A. (2019). Culturally Responsive Pedagogy: Working towards decolonization, indigeneity and interculturalism, edited by Fatima Pirbhai-Illich, Shauneen Pete and Fran Martin. London Review of Education, 17(2), 236–238. https://doi.org/10.18546/LRE.17.2.10

Bian, X., Brown, A., & Marques, B. (2025). Examining a Primary Education Approach Using Digital Storytelling: Chinese Industrial Heritage as a Vehicle to Support Learning. Heritage, 8(11), 477. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage8110477

Duong, L. T., & Khuong, P. D. (2025). Culturally responsive assessment practices in ethnic minority semi-boarding primary schools in Vietnam: a mixed-methods study. Frontiers in Education, 10, 1670277. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1670277

Fahruddiana, Y. (2025). Education at the Cultural Crossroads: Navigating Identity and Globalization in Southeast Asia. International Education Trend Issues, 3(1), 33–38. https://doi.org/10.56442/ieti.v3i1.1055

Fusco, P. (2025). Future Literacy and Cultural Heritage Education: Integrating Anticipatory Competencies for Adaptive Cultural Sustainability. Encyclopedia, 5(4), 178. https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia5040178

Ghufron, A. (2017). Pengembangan Pembelajaran Berbasis Nilai-Nilai Budaya Yogyakarta Di Sekolah Dasar. Jurnal Cakrawala Pendidikan, 309–319. https://doi.org/10.21831/cp.v36i2.12449

González, A. M. F. (2018). Strengthening Local Identity by Writing Chronicles in the EFL Classroom. Colombian Applied Linguistics Journal, 20(2), 195–208. https://doi.org/10.14483/22487085.13121

Hahn, C. H., & Narjoko, D. (2011). Globalization and Innovation in East Asia. In Globalization and Innovation in East Asia (Issue March, pp. 1–19). Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA).

Haines, S. J., Gross, J. M. S., Blue-Banning, M., Francis, G. L., & Turnbull, A. P. (2015). Fostering Family–School and Community–School Partnerships in Inclusive Schools: Using Practice as a Guide. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 40(3), 227–239. https://doi.org/10.1177/1540796915594141

Iswanto, I., Ma’ruf, A., & Sholikhudin, M. A. (2025). Integration of Multicultural Values in Project-Based Learning: A Case Study on the Batik and Textile Creative Craft Program. ISLAMIKA, 7(3), 470–482. https://doi.org/10.36088/islamika.v7i3.5744

Jaspal, R., & Breakwell, G. M. (2014). Identity Process Theory: Identity, Social Action and Social Change (1st ed.). Cambridge University Press.

Ladson-Billings, G. (1995). Toward a Theory of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy. American Educational Research Journal, 32(3), 465–491. https://doi.org/10.3102/00028312032003465

Larasati, T. A., Sadilah, E., & Sujarno. (2014). Kajian Awal Implementasi Pendidikan Karakter Berbasis Budaya Pada Tingkat Sekolah Dasar Di Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta.

Liang, X., Lu, Y., & Martin, J. (2021). A Review of the Role of Social Media for the Cultural Heritage Sustainability. Sustainability, 13(3), 1055. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13031055

Litz, D. (2011). Globalization and the changing face of educational leadership: Current trends & emerging dilemmas. International Education Studies, 4(3), p47. https://doi.org/10.5539/ies.v4n3p47

Măduţa, C. (2014). Education and National Identity. The Local Cultural Heritage and its Effects Upon Present Local educAtional Policies in Arad County from Romania. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 116, 2847–2851. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.01.667

Munir, S., & Zaheer, M. (2021). The role of extra-curricular activities in increasing student engagement. Asian Association of Open Universities Journal, 16(3), 241–254. https://doi.org/10.1108/AAOUJ-08-2021-0080

Nadia Dinihari, A. (2019). The Implementation of Culture-Based Extracurricular Activities at SMP N 2 Pajangan. EDUCASIA: Jurnal Pendidikan, Pengajaran, Dan Pembelajaran, 4(1), 37–45. https://doi.org/10.21462/educasia.v4i1.33

Nguyen, D., Boeren, E., Maitra, S., & Cabus, S. (2024). A review of the empirical research literature on PLCs for teachers in the Global South: evidence, implications, and directions. Professional Development in Education, 50(1), 91–107. https://doi.org/10.1080/19415257.2023.2238728

Niswatun, S., Sularso, S., & Chabu, M. E. (2024). Implementation of Pendidikan Khas Kejogjaan: Preservation of Local Wisdom Through Javanese Karawitan Extracurricular Activities at Elementary Schools. Virtuoso: Jurnal Pengkajian Dan Penciptaan Musik, 7(2), 140–152. https://doi.org/10.26740/vt.v7n2.p140-152

Pesurnay, A. J. (2018). Local Wisdom in a New Paradigm: Applying System Theory to the Study of Local Culture in Indonesia. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 175, 12037. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/175/1/012037

Ramlan, R., Iskandar, D., Permana, J., & Husin, M. R. (2023). Character Values of Elementary School Education from the Perspective of Local Wisdom of Sundanese Culture. Journal of Educational and Social Research, 13(3), 119. https://doi.org/10.36941/jesr-2023-0062

Rijo, C., & Souto, H. (2014). Local identity trhought global design. 9th Conference of the International Committee for Design History and Design Studies, 385–390. https://doi.org/10.5151/despro-icdhs2014-0053

Safitri, S., Maulida, U., & Tampati, R. (2023). Ekstrakurikuler Tari Tradisional Dalam Membentuk Pendidikan Karakter Berbasis Budaya Di Madrasah Ibtidaiyah. Dirasah : Jurnal Pemikiran Dan Pendidikan Dasar Islam, 6(2), 77–87. https://doi.org/10.51476/dirasah.v6i2.525

Syarifah, S., & Kusuma, A. (2016). Globalisasi Sebagai Tantangan Identitas Nasional bagi Mahasiswa Surabaya. Global and Policy Journal of International Relations, 4(02). https://doi.org/10.33005/jgp.v4i02.1917

Singh, N. K., & Espinoza-Herold, M. (2014). Culture-Based Education: Lessons from Indigenous Education in the U.S. and Southeast Asia. NABE Journal of Research and Practice, 5(1), 7–39. https://doi.org/10.1080/26390043.2014.12067773

Taylor, S., & Sobel, D. (2011). Culturally Responsive Pedagogy: Teaching Like Our Students’ Lives Matter. BRILL.

Trochim, W. M. K. (1989). Outcome pattern matching and program theory. Evaluation and Program Planning, 12(4), 355–366. https://doi.org/10.1016/0149-7189(89)90052-9

Truong, T. T., & Underwood, J. (2020). Constructing Social Cohesion in Vietnamese Public Schools: The Methods, and Students’ Forgotten Identities. Kultura i Edukacja, 130(4), 25–42. https://doi.org/10.15804/kie.2020.04.02

Ugobueze, A. N. (2024). Role of School-Society Collaboration in the Development of Primary Schools. Journal of Indonesian Primary School, 1(4), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.62945/jips.v1i4.183

Wijayanti, Y., Warto, W., Wasino, W., & Djono, D. (2025). Enhancing Students’ Cultural Identity Through History Education Based on Local Wisdom of Kagaluhan Values. Educational Process International Journal, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.22521/edupij.2025.14.75

Yao, M. (2025). The study of the effects of digital media applications in cross-cultural communication in the construction of cultural identity. Acta Psychologica, 258, 105247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105247

Yin, R. K. (2018). Case Study Research and Applications (6th ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc.

Zhou, S., Jiang, L., Li, W., & Leng, M. (2025). Meaning in life from a cultural perspective: the role of cultural identity, perceived social support, and resilience among Chinese college students. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 12(1), 91. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-04424-8

Downloads

Published

2025-10-31

How to Cite

Sri Sugiyarti, Mukminan, M., & Sujarwo, S. (2025). Designing a Culture-Based Learning Model: A Qualitative Exploration for Strengthening Local Identity in Primary Education. Jurnal Penelitian Ilmu Pendidikan, 17(2), 163 – 176. https://doi.org/10.21831/jpip.v17i2.91847

Citation Check