Importance of co-curricular activities

Keywords; Co-Curricular activities,  Extracurricular Activities (ECAs), Importance of Co-Curricular Activities, Educational value, Psychological Values of Co-Curricular Activities,  Development of Social Values of Co-Curricular Activities, Development of Civic Values of Co-Curricular Activities,  Physical Development Values of Co-Curricular Activities,  Recreational Values of Co-Curricular Activities,  Cultural Values of Co-Curricular Activities, Types of Co-curricular Activities,

Importance of co-curricular activities

            Co-Curricular activities (CCAs), previously known as Extracurricular Activities (ECAs) are activities that education organizations in some parts of the world create for school students. They serve to promote a variety of activities which all school students must attend alongside the standard study curriculum.

"Co-curricular activities" means activities conducted on or off school premises by clubs, associations, and organizations of pupils sponsored by the Board of Education”

Co-curricular activities also include pupil clubs, associations, and organizations that conduct those activities.

A co-curricular activity is defined as a program or out-of-class activity, supervised and/or financed by the school, which provides curriculum-related learning and character building experiences.

Co-curricular activities are those activities which fall outside the regular academic curriculum. They are also known as 'Extra-curricular' activities. Most of the educational organizations in various different parts of the world facilitate these activities for school and college students. 

Importance of Co-Curricular Activities

1.    Educational value,

2.    Psychological Values,

3.    Development of Social Values,

4.    Development of Civic Values,

5.    Physical Development Values,

6.    Recreational Values,

7.    Cultural Values,

1. Educational Value

Activities have great "educational" potential for students. In our schools all classroom teaching is theoretical in nature. Practical knowledge can be imparted through co-curricular activities.

The best Activities are Trips and tours which provide firsthand experience and reinforce classroom knowledge in subjects like history, geography, nature study etc.

Language and expression improves through debates and recitations. Practical lessons in civics can be given to students through self-government and political activity at school level. School magazines teach students the art of writing forcefully and effectively.

Celebration of functions develops organizational capacities and leadership qualities in students. Projects provide direct learning opportunities.

2. Psychological Value

These activities as the name suggests meet the psychological needs of the students, mainly with reference to social demands of the pupils. They help in expressing personal behavior and provide a vehicle for creative thinking.

3. Development of Social Value (Social training)

Social cooperation is recognized as one of the important demands of citizenship. It is difficult to teach through school subjects like Languages, Mathematics or Social Sciences. By 'participating in group activities, students learn good manners and develop a sense of cooperation. Membership in a club, student council, dramatic cast or an athletic team requires co-operation. Students learn to appreciate the relationship of an individual to the social group.

Through team activities, students learn social cooperation. They develop group spirit, 'we' - feeling, belongingness, unity and ability to be co-operative.

4. Development of Civic Value

In group activities students learn the value of doing one's duty. For example, students' self-government in schools provides an excellent training in exercising shouldering responsibilities. These activities train the students for good citizenship. Co-curricular activities offer many opportunities for the development of self-discipline e.g. NCC and Girl Guide. They develop in students the spirit of tolerance of others' views, healthy exchange of ideas and accepting victory and defeat with grace.

Secondly, the school is a mini society and the activities of the school should have direct relations with the activities of the society.

Qualities like leadership are not always developed in a classroom. These traits and qualities of leadership are developed in students, when they organize these activities by themselves under the guidance of teachers. Students learn to plan, organize and execute

5. Physical Development Value (Physical and mental health)

While games, sports and athletics directly contribute to physical development of students, other co-curricular activities also indirectly contribute to it. These activities provide a useful channel for the growth and development of the body.

6. Recreational Value

Lack of ability and training in proper utilization of one's spare time is one of the major defects in our present system of education. By providing and organizing various activities, we provide wholesome opportunities to our students, rather than to spend their spare time in undesirable activities e.g. Movies, TV, idle talk etc. Hobbies developed at the secondary school stage become lifelong habits.

7. Cultural Virtue

Some co-curricular activities are of great value, as they help in providing opportunities for better understanding of our cultural heritage and traditions, for example, activities like drama, folk songs, dance, folk music, exhibitions and celebration of various religious and social festivals provide better knowledge and understanding of our culture, foster cultural tastes and awaken cultural interests among students.

Students would appreciate to learn all these through our language, religion, culture, food habits and dresses, it shows that although we are different but we are one, and that we are of the same universe.

Some other importance of co-curricular activities

8.            Personality development

9.            Moral training

10.         Co-operation

11.         Discipline

12.         Utility of time

13.         Sprit of competitions

14.         Training for leadership

Scope

The scope of CCAs is wide due to a nearly unlimited list of interests. Some of the major groups include Computer Club, Art Club, Dance Club, Swimming, sports clubs and Photography Club.

•      CCAs are held outside standard curriculum hours and the activities partaken depend on the nature of CCA.

•      There is a wide choice of CCAs in schools, for which students can sign up based on their interest and ability.

•      Many former students return to their alma mater after graduation to help impart what they have learned, to their juniors. Some do so within a formal framework, where ex-cadets are appointed as cadet officers or the Voluntary Adult Leader scheme.

•      Competitions may also be organized to create a competitive environment and provide such CCA groups with an objective to work towards together. In KPK there are competitions at the distract and Provincial level. These include Sporting Competitions.  Co-curricular activities form the core of students' personality and life.

Types of Co-curricular Activities

 Co-curricular activities are categorized under seven headings;

 I. Literary Activities

2. Physical Development Activities

3. Aesthetic and Cultural Development Activities

4. Civic Development Activities

5. Social Welfare Activities

6. Leisure Time Activities CO-curricular activities

7. Field trips and tours Activities

Some other Co-Curricular activities

·         Morning assembly programmes.

·         Inter-House competitions.

·         House meetings.

·         English recitation.

·         Urdu calligraphy.

·         English calligraphy.

·         On the spot drawing & painting competition.     

·         Group singing.

·         Solo singing / rhymes.

·         Quiz competitions.

·         Moot (debatable) courts.

·         Individual talent show.

·         Guest talk / slide show.

·         Fancy dress show.

·         Various activity clubs.

·         NCC - National Cadet Corps.

·         School band.

·         Scout association.

·         Girl guides.

·         Performing arts.

·         School choirs (singing groups).

·         Foot drills.

·         Annual functions.

·         National sporting competitions.

·        Youth festivals.