Pragmatism in Islamic Education: A Curriculum Reorientation Model Grounded in Islamic Values and Relevance to the World of Work
Abstract
This article aims to formulate a pragmatism-based curriculum reorientation model for Islamic education that integrates Islamic values with relevance to the world of work. The study is motivated by the challenge faced by Islamic education in preserving its normative-spiritual foundation while responding to socio-economic change, technological development, and the competency demands of the twenty-first century. This research employs library research with a conceptual study design. The data sources consist of Sinta 1-2 journal articles, Scopus-indexed articles from the last six years, primary books, and government policy documents relevant to education, curriculum, and employment. The data were analyzed through conceptual content analysis involving concept identification, thematic categorization, relational analysis, and constructive synthesis. The findings indicate that pragmatism can be positioned as a pedagogical-curricular approach in Islamic education, rather than as a theological foundation. Islamic values such as tawhid, amanah, ihsan, adab, akhlaq, justice, and maslahah function as the normative foundation that directs learning experiences, competency development, and relevance to the world of work. This article proposes a Pragmatic-Islamic Curriculum Reorientation Model structured around Islamic values, learning experiences, competencies, relevance to the world of work, and social welfare. The model affirms that the world of work is not the ultimate aim of Islamic education, but rather a space for actualizing values, professional ethos, integrity, and social contribution. The article contributes to the development of Islamic educational philosophy and to the design of curricula that are contextual, applicable, and relevant to contemporary needs without reducing Islamic education to an instrument of the labor market.
Keywords: Islamic Education; Pragmatism; Curriculum Reorientation; Relevance to the World of Work.
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