Persepsi Orang Tua tentang Madrasah Ibtidaiyah: Studi Fenomenologi Minat Orang Tua Terhadap MIN 1 Kota Surabaya

Abstract

Madrasah Ibtidaiyah (MI) occupies a distinctive position in Indonesian primary education because it combines general education with systematic religious formation. This study explores parents’ lived experiences in perceiving Madrasah Ibtidaiyah and in choosing MIN 1 Kota Surabaya for their children. Employing a qualitative phenomenological design, data were generated through in-depth interviews with parents, supported by information from kindergarten teachers and madrasah educators, as well as observations of the school environment and learning facilities. The findings reveal three interconnected themes. First, parents perceive MI as an educational environment capable of integrating academic learning, Islamic character formation, religious habituation, and a sense of safety. Second, preference for MIN 1 Kota Surabaya is not produced by religiosity alone, but by the convergence of religious aspirations and assessments of educational quality. Third, parental decisions are shaped by an interaction of value congruence, teacher and institutional reputation, learning environment, recommendations from trusted social networks, affordability, facilities, and accessibility. The discussion argues that parental school choice is better understood as a process of value-quality alignment rather than a simple opposition between religious and academic considerations. Parents seek an institution that can sustain family religious aspirations while providing credible educational services. The study contributes to the literature on Islamic school choice by highlighting how trust, perceived quality, religious identity, and practical considerations are negotiated simultaneously in parents’ decision-making. Implications are offered for madrasah management, parent-school relations, and future research on parental choice in Islamic primary education.