Humanoid robots in education present both promising opportunities and considerable risks. This review explores the use of humanoid robots in formal education, focusing on pedagogical approaches, their impact, challenges and ethical considerations. Most studies employed constructivist and socio-cultural approaches, like problem-based and game-based learning. The results revealed that humanoid robots enhance learning effectiveness, student engagement, motivation, enjoyment, confidence, and 21st-century skills, including digital competence. However, ethical concerns persist, including privacy, data security, and reduced social engagement due to over-reliance on robots. Implementation challenges include technical issues, high costs and a lack of trained personnel. The review provides recommendations for implementation, future research and development to ensure the responsible and effective integration of robots into formal education.