Barriers to inclusion of Muslim migrant students in western schools. A systematic review

Abstract

At present, there has been a gradual increase in the number of migrant students in schools in Western societies, in which Muslim students are one of the largest groups. Their inclusion has become the main goal for governments and schools. However, this group sometimes face different barriers to their inclusion, which limit their educational experiences, and prevent or hinder their access and participation, promoting their marginalisation. Research on migration and education generally focuses on specific cases or communities, so it is interesting to analyse from a broader perspective what recurrent forms of inclusion and exclusion occur at the global level in schools. This systematic review aims to determine the barriers to inclusion faced by first and second generation Muslim migrant students at different stages of their formal education. It followed PRISMA guidelines and a PEO research strategy, conducted in two databases, Boolean as well as truncators were used for specific terms. It included assessments of methodological quality and validity. A total of 24 articles met the selection criteria. The study finds socio-cultural, linguistic and discrimination barriers as well as barriers produced by educational policy and the availability of resources and training. There are barriers in the pedagogical practice too. Furthermore, those barriers had a greater or lesser impact according to the generation or the educational stage the students are in. This not only favours the identification of barriers, but also the search for measures and solutions to reduce or eradicate them at both the micro and macro levels, by promoting the development of policies, the provision of resources and the creation of working networks in interculturality.