Factors Influencing Students’ Participation in Co-Curricular Activities at Secondary School

Abstract

The co-curricular activities are highly important for students, physical, mental, social growth are accepted in worldwide studies. Beyond this, the emerging key factors influence students’ participation in co-curricular activities, which are often neglected in schools due to various physical, social, and emotional challenges. Many students are not given the necessary support to engage in these activities. This study aims to assess the factors influencing students’ participation in co-curricular activities at secondary school in the district Lasbela, Balochistan. Qualitative research approaches were used, and a case study was carried out. Data was collected from 15 teachers (male and female) of different secondary schools of the district, while using a purposive sampling technique. NVivo 12 was used for data analysis and created five themes. Four themes of the study which are: institutional support and infrastructure, personal motivation and skills development, academic pressure and time constraints, impact of co-curricular activities on future opportunities, were positively responded. This study findings highlighted the factors that influence students’ participation in co-curricular activities, such as social challenges, lack of infrastructure, ACC equipment, lack of institutional and parental support, academic pressure and time constraints. While the theme of parental and societal influence was responded both positively and negatively. Further, it suggested that higher authorities immediately needed to re-evaluate their policies and strategies to ensure better practice of co-curricular activities.