Educational Inequity in Pesantren: Examining How Parental Socioeconomic Status Shapes Student Achievement in Bandung

Socioeconomic status (SES) of a family in society is determined by several factors, such as income, education, and occupation. This study adopts James Coleman's social capital framework to investigate how parents' socioeconomic status can influence student achievement in one of the pesantren in Bandung, West Java, as well as the disparities it generates within the institution. While this topic has been widely examined, studies that specifically explore this reality in pesantren, which have different systems, cultures, and resources from other institutions, remain very limited. This study aims to fill that gap by examining how parents' socioeconomic status may affect students' achievements in the pesantren. This study employed a qualitative descriptive method with a case study approach. Data collection was carried out through multiple methods; open-ended questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and analysis of student achievement records. The informants included nineteen parents of high-achieving students, three homeroom teachers, and two school principals. The findings demonstrate a strong relationship between parental socioeconomic status and student achievement. All high-achieving students at the pesantren came from middle-to-upper economic backgrounds families, well-educated, and actively involved in community organizations. The conclusion of this study highlights the importance of affirmative programs for students from lower-class families to enhance their competencies so that they can compete on an equal footing with others.