ANALISIS KESULITAN SISWA DALAM BELAJAR PEMECAHAN MASALAH PADA MATA PELAJARAN IPS DI SDN 2 TEGAL WANGI

This research investigates the obstacles encountered by elementary students in acquiring social studies skills, with a focus on enhancing their problem-solving capabilities. Employing a qualitative descriptive approach, the study was carried out at SDN 2 Tegal Wangi through classroom observations, teacher interviews (specifically with Grade 4 instructors), and analysis of relevant documents. The results indicate that teaching methods largely remain traditional, showing minimal application of contextual and thematic learning strategies, even though the Merdeka Curriculum has been implemented. In addition, students are seldom encouraged to develop higher-order thinking skills, and the instructional practices rarely incorporate real-world social issues. External factors such as minimal parental involvement, lack of diverse teaching media, and the underutilization of local cultural values as learning resources further hinder students’ ability to solve social problems effectively. This research contributes to the academic discourse by offering insights into the real obstacles within the current learning practices and underscores the need for a more problem-based and student-centered instructional design. Enhancing problem-solving skills in social studies is expected to foster critical thinking, social awareness, and collaborative learning, aligning with the educational goals of the 21st century.