This study investigates the implementation of the Merdeka Be/ajar Cw-riculum in teaching English at SMP Negeri 5 Sangatta Utara during the academic year 2023-2024. The research aims to identify teachers' and students' challenges and explore teachers' strategies to enhance learning outcomes. Using a qualitative descriptive research design, data were collected through questionnaires, direct observation, semi-structured interviews, and documentation review. The findings reveal that the school adopted the Independent Changing option of the Merdeka Be/ajar Curriculum, utilizing a Genre-Based Approach (GBA) in English lessons. The Merdeka Be/ajar curriculum promotes flexibility, active student participation, and personalized learning, focusing on holistic development through intra­curricular, co-cw-ricular, and extTacw-ricular activities. Using the Genre-Based Approach (GBA) and innovative learning tools has improved student engagement and learning outcomes in English classes. Additionally, the Pancasila Students Profile Project and the English Club have enhanced character­building and English skills, contributing to students' cognitive, social, and emotional growth. However, the implementation of the cw-riculwn also presents challenges. Differentiated learning is demanding for teachers, requiring significant resources and preparation. Practical limitations hinder technology-led instruction, such as lacking a language laboratory, insufficient equipment, and poor internet connectivity. Moreover, student passivity and limited English vocabulary further complicate the shift to a learner-centered approach. The study highlights the strategies to overcome these challenges, such as teacher training in English, effective communication with students and parents, and encouraging regular use of English in various contexts, which are essential for successfully implementing the Merdeka Belajar Curriculum. The research contributes to understanding the practical aspects of curriculum implementation in remote areas, providing insights into effective strategies to enhance English language learning outcomes.