<![CDATA[Implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum in Vocational High Schools (SMKs) in West Sumatra faces various challenges influenced by geographical conditions, human resource readiness, and the characteristics of the business and industrial sectors (DUDI). This study aims to analyze the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum in SMKs through a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach to identify patterns of success, challenges, and strategic recommendations for the development of vocational education. The study employed an SLR method referring to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The selection process was conducted on articles published between 2023 and 2026 through Google Scholar, Garuda, and university repositories in West Sumatra. Of the 115 articles identified, 20 articles met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed thematically. The results of the review revealed four main findings, namely: (1) the successful implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum is strongly influenced by school principal leadership, teacher competence, and learning communities; (2) partnerships with the business and industrial sectors (DUDI) through Teaching Factory (TEFA) and Field Work Practice (PKL) improve students’ work readiness, but remain uneven due to limitations in local industries; (3) the implementation of the Pancasila Student Profile Strengthening Project (P5) based on Minangkabau local wisdom can strengthen character development, although its assessment remains subjective; and (4) disparities in infrastructure, technology access, and implementation quality between urban areas and remote regions persist. This study concludes that the successful implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum in SMKs is determined not only by the internal readiness of schools but is also influenced by infrastructure support, industry partnerships, and government policies that are adaptive to regional characteristics. Therefore, more targeted policies are needed to reduce implementation disparities and improve the quality of vocational education in West Sumatra.]]>
