INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LAW, GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNICATION (IJLGC)

OVERCOMING BARRIERS: A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK ON POVERTY, DROPOUT, AND EDUCATIONAL INEQUALITY

Nurul Khofifah, Ros Shammimi, Nor Hanim — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0800

School dropout rates among students from low-income backgrounds continue to be a significant issue in education systems globally. Poverty restricts access to educational resources, exacerbates family instability, lowers academic performance, and reduces student motivation, leading to higher dropout rates (UNESCO, 2020). Most studies analyze these factors in isolation, neglecting the complex connections through which poverty impacts educational outcomes. This conceptual paper presents a comprehensive framework connecting economic hardship to school dropout rates, influenced by factors such as family stress, academic disengagement, and unfavourable school environments. It also examines moderating influences like government assistance programs and community initiatives that may alleviate the detrimental impacts of poverty. By integrating perspectives from ecological systems theory (Bronfenbrenner, 1979) and social reproduction theory (Bourdieu, 1973), this research provides an in-depth understanding of dropout challenges. The framework highlights crucial intervention opportunities for policymakers, educators, and social organizations aimed at enhancing school retention for disadvantaged students. Future research should empirically validate this framework across diverse socioeconomic and cultural settings to inform more effective educational policies. This paper contributes to theoretical insights in dropout research while offering practical strategies to combat educational inequality.

NAVIGATING DIGITAL DIALOGUE: ASNAF STUDENTS’ EXPERIENCES OF COMMUNICATION WITH TEACHERS IN HIGH POWER DISTANCE CONTEXTS

Mohd Izwan Izhar Haris, Hanif Suhairi Abu Bakar, Asraful Anam Bahrudin — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0800

In Malaysian schools, high power distance often shapes communication between students and teachers. This phenomenological study explores how this dynamic affects asnaf students, a financially disadvantaged group, through qualitative interviews with 10 students aged 13 to 17 in a Perlis boarding school. The study examines three objectives: (a) the nature of two-way communication, (b) the channels through which it occurs, and (c) how channel characteristics affect communication quality. The findings revealed a central theme based on the three objectives: Hierarchical Communication Culture, with subthemes: Reluctance to Initiate, Dependence on Indirect Channels, and Digital Spaces as Safe Zones. Communication was often unidirectional in face-to-face settings, but mediated more freely through digital tools. These results emphasize the role of communication tools in overcoming cultural communication barriers. The study offers practical implications for educators to design communication systems that are sensitive to power dynamics and cultural expectations.

DETERMINING PARAMETERS FOR HAD KIFAYAH IN ZAKAT DISTRIBUTION AMONG ASNAF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN PERLIS: A SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS) PERSPECTIVE

Fathinah Ismail, Noor Saidatul Natrah Saaidun, Hanis Hazwani Ahmad — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0800

This study investigates the determination of Had Kifayah parameters for effective Zakat distribution among Asnaf undergraduate students in Perlis, aligning it with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A mixed-methods approach is employed, beginning with qualitative analysis to identify 13 of 17 relevant SDG targets reflected in existing Zakat practices. A Likert scale questionnaire is developed and distributed to Asnaf students across five institutions. Quantitative data is analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), including descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, and multiple linear regression to assess each SDG’s reliability, significance, and influence on Zakat distribution outcomes. Additionally, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) is conducted to uncover underlying factors affecting Zakat distribution. The results confirm strong alignment with key SDGs, notably SDG 1, SDG 3, SDG 4, SDG 8, and SDG 10. The study concludes by proposing a targeted, SDG-aligned Had Kifayah parameter for Zakat distribution, developed through the integration of qualitative insights and quantitative evidence, aimed at enhancing the relevance, equity, and impact of Zakat support for Asnaf students in higher education.