Social Mobility and the Epistemological Hybridity of Madrasah Students in Bangladesh

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to examine the effects of social mobility on the epistemological hybridity (eHYBRIDITY) of madrasah students in Bangladesh. Methodology: Based on Cohen's Table (1992), a sample size of 87 was determined: 29 from Qawmii and 58 from Aliya madrasah (29 passed Kamil before 1990, and 29 were present Alim students). To collect data, the study employed a survey method based on 5 point-Likert scales. To analyze data, the study used SmartPLS software (Windows Version-3). Findings: The Qawmii model holds that education should be controlled only by religion i.e., Quran, Hadith, Ijma, and Qias (eHYB1) which has a significant association with the achievement of Islamic knowledge (VIS1), disseminating Islamic knowledge (VIS2), and leading Islamic life (VIS3) as well as religious occupation i.e., Imamati/Milad/Waj-nasihat (REL1). The Kamil model holds that education should be focused on religion, but the knowledge of science is not problematic (eHYB2) which has a significant association with VIS1, VIS2, and VIS3 as well as religious occupations i.e., nikah registrar (REL2), teaching religious subjects in madrasah/maktab (REL3) and teaching religious subjects in school/college/university (REL4). Finally, the Alim model holds that education should be integrated having both religious and secular features (eHYB3) which has a significant association with income interest (VIS4), status interest (VIS5), and power interest (VIS6) as well as general occupations i.e., Medicare (GEN5), engineering (GEN6), teaching in university/college (GEN7), BCS cadre (GEN8), jobs in the Organisations of United Nations (GEN9) and Multi-national Companies (GEN10). The study also finds enough predictive power and relevance to explain the eHYBRIDITY of madrasah students in Bangladesh (R2 = 0.710, 0.673, and 0.638 in the respective models). Limitations: The study sample size is drawn using the non-probability technique due to the lack of a database of the target population. Practical Implication: The study will help understand the root causes of the epistemological hybridity (eHYBRIDITY) of madrasah students in Bangladesh and develop the dynamic policies of madrasah education. Originality: This is the first study of the eHYBRIDTY of madrasah students in Bangladesh in the pitch of social mobility.