Research Overview

This thesis provides a cultural appraisal of the Al-Majiri child scholar as a lens to explore the causes, consequences and societal implications of the marginalisation of the Al-Majiri. Employing a multimodal approach, the research integrates postcolonial language theory, polyphony, advocacy and a violence-focused analytical framework, supplemented by interviews to enrich its methodology. To bring a multidisciplinary angle to the thesis, it explores the work of educator Paulo Freire, Pedagogy of the Oppressed. The study in its originality focuses on the representation of the Al-Majiri in Born on a Tuesday, No Sweat, Songs of Almajiri, Kasko and ‘Dan Al-Majiri’. Through the analyses of these poems, film, song and prose works, the research offers fresh insights on the Al-Majiri scholarship. It investigates how cultural art serves as a potent medium for conveying the lived experiences, struggles, and aspirations of the Al-Majiri. Fostering a deeper understanding of the lives and identities of Al-Majiri, the study seeks to provide insights for scholars and shift public perceptions of the marginalised cohort. The thesis further evaluates how cultural representations can influence government policy. Ultimately, the study highlights culture’s dual role as a mirror of societal concerns and a catalyst for change, advocating for its transformative potential in addressing the complexities of the Al-Majiri education system. To communicate with the general public, the thesis concludes with a lay summary.