The Early Childhood Islamic Education Study Program (PIAUD) of UIN Sunan Kalijaga, in collaboration with the Raudhatul Athfal Teachers Association (IGRA) of the Special Region of Yogyakarta, organized a Workshop on the Implementation of a Love-Based Curriculum and the Development of Teaching Materials for RA. The event took place on Friday–Saturday, April 3–4, 2026, at the Convention Hall, 1st Floor, UIN Sunan Kalijaga. It was attended by approximately 400 Raudhatul Athfal (RA) teachers from across the Yogyakarta Special Region as a shared commitment to enhancing the quality of holistic, character-based, and professional early childhood education.
The workshop was officially opened by the Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Yogyakarta, Dr. H. Ahmad Bahiej, S.H., M.Hum., who emphasized the importance of strengthening the capacity of RA teachers to respond to evolving educational policies and the developmental needs of children in today’s era. He also expressed appreciation for the synergy between higher education institutions and teacher professional organizations in providing practical and impactful learning spaces, particularly in strengthening the professionalism of RA teachers in the region.
The Dean of the Faculty of Education and Teacher Training, Prof. Dr. Sigit Purnama, M.Pd., who served as the keynote speaker, highlighted that a love-based curriculum must go beyond administrative requirements or formal documentation. According to him, the values of love should become the spirit that underlies every learning activity—from planning and implementation to evaluation.
“A love-based curriculum must be alive in the interaction between teachers and children, reflected in a humanistic approach, and capable of creating meaningful learning experiences,” he stressed.
This workshop represents a strategic initiative to enhance the professionalism of RA teachers in the Yogyakarta Special Region, not only in terms of knowledge and skills but also in fostering reflective, innovative attitudes grounded in humanistic values.
On the first day, participants received insights into policy frameworks and conceptual foundations. The Head of the PIAUD Study Program at UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Dr. Rohinah, M.Pd., presented key points from Ministerial Decree (KMA) No. 1503 of 2025 for RA, particularly focusing on curriculum alignment with child developmental stages, integration of Islamic values, and character building through contextual learning approaches. This session provided clear guidance for teachers in understanding and effectively implementing educational policies at the institutional level.
Following this, Handayani Suminar Indrati, M.Pd., introduced the concept and philosophy of deep learning alongside the reinforcement of the “five love values” (panca cinta), which include love for God, others, the environment, oneself, and knowledge. She emphasized that meaningful learning must integrate cognitive, emotional, and spiritual dimensions in a balanced way. This perspective serves as a critical foundation for developing RA teachers’ professionalism, shifting the focus beyond content delivery toward character formation.
On the second day, the workshop focused on practical implementation, guided by Lina Mariana, M.A. Participants were trained to design a curriculum based on the five love values, develop teaching materials, and construct authentic assessments tailored to early childhood developmental needs. The session continued with group-based practice in designing instructional tools, presentations of participants’ work, and collective reflection.
Through this workshop, RA teachers were encouraged to continuously develop their professional competencies, adapt to ongoing changes in educational policy, and become more responsive to the diverse and dynamic needs of early childhood development. Ultimately, the program aims to enable teachers to deliver higher-quality, meaningful learning experiences that positively impact the growth and development of young children in the future.