The Evolution of Quality Assurance Frameworks in Islamic Education

Abstract

Islamic educational institutions in Indonesia operate under a dual pressure: the mounting demands of global quality standards and the imperative to preserve their Islamic identity. This study aims to map the evolution of Islamic education quality assurance frameworks over one decade (2016–2026) and to analyze convergence patterns between Western quality theory and Islamic values. Using a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach with the PRISMA protocol, 138 articles were analyzed from Scopus, Google Scholar, ERIC, and DOAJ databases. Thematic analysis identified three distinct evolutionary phases: (1) conventional model adoption (2016–2018), (2) hybridization of sharia-based quality frameworks (2019–2022), and (3) operational integration of Islamic values into quality governance (2023–2026). Findings reveal that Total Quality Management (TQM) models modified with maqāṣid al-sharī'ah values and the amanah principle produce stronger institutional legitimacy than verbatim adoption of Western models. Digitalization through SPMI platforms and international certifications (AUN-QA/FIBAA) have accelerated this convergence, although tensions between output-based accreditation standards and ethico-spiritual dimensions remain unresolved. This article contributes a hybrid quality assurance model that operationalizes Islamic values within measurable quality indicators.