The role of Islamic boarding schools in pre-independence Indonesia’s socio-cultural dynamics: Connecting historical language practices to the EFL/ESL landscape

Abstract

Islamic boarding schools, as the oldest Islamic educational institutions in Indonesia, have long contributed to the formation of the nation’s socio-cultural identity, especially before independence. This study aims to explore the socio-cultural roles of Islamic boarding schools in pre-independence Indonesia by addressing the research problem of how Islamic boarding schools contributed to religious, educational, and social transformation during the colonial period. A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was conducted by analyzing ten scholarly articles published between 2020 and 2025 using a qualitative descriptive approach. The examination reveals that Islamic boarding schools served not only as centers for religious education but also fostered Islamic identity, ethical discipline, cognitive growth, and communal unity. Furthermore, Islamic boarding schools served as catalysts for social transformation by promoting autonomy, humility, unity, and opposition to colonial rule. They further bolstered nationalist consciousness and galvanized society via enduring yet conventional educational frameworks. Develop a robust theoretical foundation that clearly defines and interrelates the core variables of the study. Conduct a comprehensive and analytical examination to investigate these variables extensively, determining their significance and implementation within the research paradigm. The study concludes that Islamic boarding schools played a fundamental role in shaping Indonesia’s national consciousness by harmonizing Islamic values with local culture, thereby contributing significantly to the development of the nation’s socio-cultural character and the spirit of independence.