Journal of Innovation and Research in Primary Education
Vol. 5 No. 1 (2026)

Enacting Coding and Artificial Intelligence Education Policy in Elementary Schools

Susanto, Edy (Unknown)
Sugiyanti, Wiwik (Unknown)
Arifin, Miftachul (Unknown)
Fathonah, Siti (Unknown)
Nurkolis, Nurkolis (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
14 Feb 2026

Abstract

The integration of coding and artificial intelligence (AI) education in elementary schools has emerged as a global policy priority, yet significant gaps persist between policy formulation and classroom implementation, particularly in developing countries. This qualitative collective case study examines how elementary schools in Grobogan District, Indonesia enact the national coding and AI education policy introduced through the Merdeka Curriculum. Drawing upon policy enactment theory, TPACK framework, and computational thinking concept, data were collected through in-depth interviews with teachers (n=8), principals (n=4), and students (n=12), classroom observations of six learning sessions, and document analysis. Four distinct implementation models emerged: integrated project-based plugged coding, hybrid unplugged-plugged activities, subject-integrated unplugged approaches, and introductory demonstrations. Policy enactment was incremental and contingent upon school leadership and "champion" teachers. Teachers' TPACK readiness varied considerably, with technological knowledge representing the primary constraint. Despite infrastructural limitations, schools developed creative local adaptation strategies. Students demonstrated emergent computational thinking elements through trial-and-error activities, collaborative debugging, and systematic problem decomposition. Successful policy implementation requires sustained teacher capacity building, instructional leadership, and district-level support systems beyond regulatory frameworks. These findings offer evidence-based recommendations for narrowing the policy-practice gap in coding and AI education within resource-constrained contexts.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jirpe

Publisher

Subject

Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Mathematics Other

Description

Journal of Innovation and Research in Primary Education (JIRPE) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal that publishes original research and review articles primarily but limited to the area of elementary school education. It brings together academics and researchers from different countries who ...