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.
