Ilmina: Journal of Education and Counseling
Vol. 2 No. 1 (2026)

Teachers' Symbolic Capital and Power Relations in the Classroom: Study at MI Muhammadiyah Petambakan

Ari Agus Susanti (Universitas Islam Negeri Prof. K.H. Saifuddin Zuhri Purwokerto)
Muh. Hanif (Universitas Islam Negeri Prof. K.H. Saifuddin Zuhri Purwokerto)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Apr 2026

Abstract

This study aims to analyze teachers' symbolic capital and power relations in the classrooms of MI Muhammadiyah Petambakan. Although studies on teacher authority have been widely conducted, research that specifically examines teachers' symbolic capital in the context of rural Islamic elementary schools remains relatively limited. This study employed a qualitative approach, with data collected through observation, interviews with the principal, teachers, students, and parents, as well as documentation to gain an in-depth understanding of teacher–student interactions in the learning process. The findings reveal that teachers' symbolic capital is constructed through authority, professional status, and social legitimacy recognized within the school community, positioning teachers as respected figures of authority. Power relations in the classroom are characterized by teachers' dominance in controlling the learning process, while students tend to follow the directions provided. Furthermore, disciplinary practices indicate that teachers' symbolic authority is utilized to maintain classroom order, although opportunities for two-way interaction between teachers and students remain present. These findings support Bourdieu's theory of social reproduction while also demonstrating that teacher power relations in madrasahs are not always repressive in nature. Instead, they function as mechanisms for maintaining order and facilitating the internalization of values.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

i

Publisher

Subject

Arts Humanities Education Environmental Science Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media

Description

The word Ilmina comes from Arabic علم which means Science, Knowledge. The use of the name Ilmina for the Journal of Education and Counseling means that the published articles are selected articles on education and counseling that are of good quality and have good weight as a complement to the ...