The Academia

ISSN- 2583-8830
(A Multidisciplinary Peer-Reviewed Research Journal)
Volume: 01, Issue: II, Pages: 18-23, Year: 2023

A Study of Co-Curricular Activities in the Holistic Development of Secondary School Students

1
Dr. Brijesh Chandra Tripathi
1 Associate Professor, School of Education, Babu Banarasi Das University, Lucknow.

Abstract
This study exists significant difference in the perception of parents about extracurricular activities due to
variations in the gender. Female are more interested in co curricular activities than male. Parents with good
educational qualification are better than illiterate parents in their involvement and interest in co curricular
activities. Still awareness may be created among parents to expose them to the need of sound mental health
among their children about the importance of co curricular activities

Key Words: Co-Curricular Activities, Holistic Development

Introduction

In the 21st century, the pure academic type of education that students are introduced to, is steadily
paving way to a whole new type of education with a special focus to incorporate three major genres of education:
reasoning, psychomotor and emotional learning. Education is a pretty broad concept that surpasses the four walls
of a classroom. The core aim of education is to foster all round development of a child. All round development
essentially means intellectual, physical, moral, sensible and social development. All round development can be
achieved only through education. Education plays a fundamental role in the making of a man and his development
as a culturally well-developed social animal. To fulfill these objectives, there is a prime need of striking a balance
between syllabus, curriculum, books and also co-curricular The school curriculum has two broad areas to take care
of all the developmental aspects of the child, the cognitive, affective and psychomotor. Subject like language,
mathematics, science and social studies helps mainly the cognitive development of the child. Many other activities
are necessary for development of the affective and psychomotor domain. Those activities like games and sport, art
and music, craft work etc. are termed as co-scholastic activities. Instead of co-curricular activities, the term co-
scholastic activities are used as both cognitive and non-cognitive development can take place by exposing the child
to the lesson on scholastic subjects and non-scholastic subjects.

Holistic development is a process of self-actualization and learning that combines an individual's mental,
physical, social, emotional and spiritual growth. The term can be used to describe forms of alternative education
that are based on the more humanistic and democratic outlooks. Its premise is that an individual finds purpose and
meaning in life through connections to the natural world, the community and through humanitarian values. The
holistic viewpoint is based on the premise that a system as a whole will determine how its individual components
act. As a development method, it attempts to integrate and encompass multiple layers of experience and meaning
rather than placing a narrow focus on an individual's potential and possibilities. The holistic approach to learning is
a transformation of one's frames of reference, rather than a system based on transmission and transaction.
Connections are emphasized as an alternative to the fragmentation of learning into its individual components and
subject fields.

Emergence of the Problem

This study of co-curricular role is aimed at male and female students of secondary school students. The
rationale of studying this population is that the students who are presently in secondary school are born brought
up in the competitive world of cut throat competition. The scientific and technological developments now need
world filled with dynamic personality, who can perform various skills. In the present era the role of non-scholastic
activities which benefit them directly or indirectly has become very important for a nations progress and also for
their own growth in the society.

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The Academia
ISSN- 2583-8830
(A Multidisciplinary Peer-Reviewed Research Journal)
Volume: 01, Issue: II, Pages: 18-23, Year: 2023

Need of the Study

The all-round development or holistic development of an individual is only possible through balanced
development of scholastic or academic as well as non –scholastic or non-academic aspects in the formal, in-formal
and non-formal educational setting in the society. Particularly, in the modern era where individual have to pass
through phases of undue anxiety and over-stress, one finds that sometimes it leads to various types of depression
and even loss of life. In such cases individual’s involvement in the co-curricular activities become more significance
because these activities stop various types of anxieties and stress to come near the individual.

Additional activities for schools students are a means to enhance social interaction, leadership, healthy
recreation, self-discipline and self-confidence. Study found that these activities install the moral values in the
students, leadership quality, and team work and also prepares them to take on bigger goals and challenges in their
life.

Objectives of the study

The objectives for the study are as follows:

 To compare the all round development between the male and the female of secondary level.
 To study the role of co-curricular activities on male and female CBSE students of secondary level.
 To study the role of co-curricular activities on male and female ICSE students of secondary level.
 To compare the all round development of CBSE and ICSE secondary school students.
Hypothesis

The following hypothesis is formulated for the study:

Ho1 - There is an all round development between the male and female students through co-curricular
activities in the secondary level.
Ho2 – There is a difference between the impact of co-curricular activities between male and female CBSE
students of secondary level.
Ho3 – There is a difference between the impact of Co Curricular Activities on male and female ICSE
students of secondary level
Ho4- There is an all round development through co-curricular activities between the CBSE and ICSE board
secondary school students.

Delimitation of the study

 The study is conducted in the Lucknow city of Uttar Pradesh.

 The respondents of this study will be limited to the ISC and CBSE boards of secondary school
education.
 The respondents of this study will be limited to 11’Th grade students of secondary school.
 The study will be conducted on 100 students only out of which 50 female and 50 will be male
secondary school students.

Literature Review

Dr. Zahida Habib (2012). The modern education system recognizes that child comes to school for all-round
and better development. This research aimed to explore the role of co-curricular activities in Community Model
Schools and Govt. Girls Primary Schools. Community Model Schools set up under Girls Primary Education Project
(GPEP), in 1994 and funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB), and comparison of their academic performance,
co-curricular activities and available physical facilities with Govt. Girls Primary Schools. And result indicated that
Community Model Schools were better in students’ performance due to well organized co-curricular activities and
physical facilities than Govt. Girls Primary Schools. By and large it came out that the performance of community

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The Academia
ISSN- 2583-8830
(A Multidisciplinary Peer-Reviewed Research Journal)
Volume: 01, Issue: II, Pages: 18-23, Year: 2023

model schools is better than Govt. Girls Primary Schools it is due to the well-organized co-curricular activities in
Community Model Schools.

Shobha Dey(2012). Parents should be aware of the importance of co-curricular and extracurricular
activities and they need to support their children in joining such activities. They just aim for remaining on the top
of the list and thereby advertise their schools' name for inviting more and more admissions. It’s time for the
parents to recognize the importance of co-curricular and extracurricular activities and encourage their children in
participating in such productive activities which help in the overall development of the child.

Ismat, Rakhsi Saleem(2015). The function of education is to bring change in child behavior and personality
in a more desirable form. Development of child’s body and mind demand proper nurturing of its physical and
intellectual qualities as few of the major determinants of his personality. The study concluded that in wholesome
the overall effect of co-curricular activities on the student’s academic performance and personality development is
positive. And it complements the academic activities in attainment of education’s main goal of bringing change in
student’s behavior.

Research Methodology

Research methodology is a way to systematically solve the research problem. It may be understood as a
science of studying how research is done scientifically. The Research Methodology is based on stages of fact
finding and its analysis. The current research attempts to find out impact of co-curricular activities on the non-
academic development of secondary students in Lucknow.

Design of the study

The survey method gathers data from a relatively large number of cases at a particular time. A survey is
an important type of study. It is not mere clerical routine of gathering and tabulating figures. It involves a clearly
defined problem and definite objectives. It undertakes planning, careful analysis and interpretation of the data
gathered and logical and skillful reporting of the findings.

Population, Sample and Sampling Technique

The population of the study is of the secondary schools students of class XIth, of Lucknow city. In this
study, a sample of 100 students studying in 11th grade, including both male and female secondary school students
were selected from 4 different schools of 2 different boards, CBSE and ICSE of Lucknow city. The selection of the
students for the study of the survey was made through simple random sampling.

Table1: Details of the sample

TH
S.NO STUDENT OF CLASS 11
MALE FEMALE TOTAL
1. 25 25 50
2. 25 25 50
TOTAL 100

Tool
In this study a self made tool based on co-curricular activities was constructed by the researcher for the
collection of the data.

Administration of the tool

For the purpose of the study the data was collected through direct communication with respondents. To
collect the data from the respondents for the study the tool used was a simple self structured Questionnaire with
the closed ended questions. . Proper instructions were given to the respondents in the questionnaire itself.

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The Academia
ISSN- 2583-8830
(A Multidisciplinary Peer-Reviewed Research Journal)
Volume: 01, Issue: II, Pages: 18-23, Year: 2023

Scoring
The self made questionnaire based on the Co-curricular activities was a closed ended questionnaire which
had two options as ‘yes’ or ‘no’. The students had to select one of the two options and put a tick () in the space
meant for the purpose in the questionnaire only.

Statistical Devices
The result and inferences of the study are precise only if proper statistical devices are used depending
upon the need of the study. Therefore the statistical device used for this study is- Percentage.

Data analysis and Interpretation

Data analysis is the attempt to fully and accurately summarize and represent the data that has been
collected and organized on the basis of objectives and hypotheses of the study.
Table 2
Total Male & Female students of secondary level
Male Female
N Yes No N Yes No
50 73.04 26.96 50 72.29 27.71

On the basis of the above mentioned table 2, was formed, showing the data, Total 50 males and females
were equally chosen in order to express their opinion on all round development through active participation in co
curricular activities, out of which 73.04% of males agreed to it and 26.96% males do not believe for so. Whereas
about girls in the same context then, 72.29% of the females were seen taking interest in the co curricular activities
believing, that these activities are of great importance in the all round development of oneself. On the other hand
only 27.71% of females were not in the favor of co curricular activities which were conducted in their schools.
Table 3
Total Male & Female CBSE students of secondary level
Male Female
N Yes No N Yes No
25 73.25 26.75 25 75.52 24.48

As per the tabulation of the data, 73.25% of males of CBSE board found that the co curricular activities
conducted in their school is of great value to them and help them in various ways. Rest, 26.75% of males do not
find co curricular activities playing such a significant role in their lives.
Now, in the case of female students, 75.52% strongly believe that for the overall development in them,
the school curriculum is not only the single criteria. The holistic growth as well as to develop the various facets of
their personality classroom teaching should be supplemented with co-curricular activities. Only 24.48% of females
did not believe in the above mentioned facts.
Table 4
Total Male & Female ICSE students of secondary level
Male Female
N Yes No N Yes No
25 72.25 27.75 25 68.96 31.04

According to the above mentioned table-4, 72.25% of males were found active in the co curricular
activities leaving 27.75% of males, who did not find these co curricular activities that effective for their
development. The 72.5% of males found that at the time when many adolescents are trying to determine where
they fit into the social structure of secondary education. In the case of ICSE board at secondary level, only 68.96%

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The Academia
ISSN- 2583-8830
(A Multidisciplinary Peer-Reviewed Research Journal)
Volume: 01, Issue: II, Pages: 18-23, Year: 2023

of females were seen having a likeness for the co curricular activities taking place in their school. They believe that
the class activities that they take part in, affect all domains of life such as cognitive (intellectual), emotional, social,
moral, cultural and aesthetic.
Table 5

Total CBSE & ICSE secondary school students

CBSE ICSE
N M/F (Yes) M/F (No) N M/F (Yes) M/F (No)
50 74.06 25.94 50 70.970 29.03

As per the above mentioned table-5, 74.06% of development is seen in the secondary school students of
CBSE board where as, only 25.94% of development is seen in the secondary school students of ICSE board. CBSE
schools believe that education is the all-round development of the innate talents of a child, wherein such schools
give as many opportunities as possible to every student to participate in a variety of co-curricular activities. If we
talk about secondary school students of ICSE schools, they are not at par with the CBSE schools students in
believing that the co curricular activities help the students in their all round development. But the data 70.97%
over 29.03% signifies that even these co curricular activities play an important role in the lives of ICSE school
students.

Conclusion

Overall findings of the study revealed that therefore, it is clear that both males and females strongly
believe in co curricular activities which might not initially, but in long run be very helpful as, it really helps the
students in enhancing their skills, developing their senses and understanding, presenting themselves and learning
life skills. According to result CBSE board secondary school students seek all round development more than the
ICSE students. Though, both CBSE and ICSE boards aim for active learning and believe in learning through
experience and experimentation rather than through one-way teaching but, CBSE pays more weightage to co-
curricular activities. According to male and female , the effects of co curricular activities go beyond their academic
development catering to the needs of individual differences that exist in every individual. This helps the students
to improve and develop their various talents and aptitude and also inculcate in them a spirit of healthy
competition.

Educational Implications

The findings from this study have implications for college student educators in practices related to co
curricular activities. This study provide these suggested implications for practice applicable to student affairs,
administrators and faculty members. Students are very much interested in participating in the co curricular
activities but there is lots of lacuna in organizing co curricular activities so the organizations such as National
Council of Education and Research and Training (NCERT), State Council of Education Research and Training (SCERT),
District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) etc should encourage the researchers to do comprehensive
survey to get the holistic picture about the availability of co curricular activities. Such survey will facilitate in
drawing the need for organizing co curricular activities in the schools.

References

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Practu'ces, New Delhi.
 Banta, T.W. and Kuh, G.D. (1998). A missing link in assessment: Collaboration between academics and
student affairs professionals. Change, 30, 40-46.

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The Academia
ISSN- 2583-8830
(A Multidisciplinary Peer-Reviewed Research Journal)
Volume: 01, Issue: II, Pages: 18-23, Year: 2023

 Bapat, V. D. (1999). Sports - culture will develop sound mind and Productive minds." Research Bi-Annual
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 Darling, N., Caldwell, L. L., & Smith, R. (2005). Participation in school-based Extra- curricular activities and
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Corresponding Author:
Dr. Brijesh Chandra Tripathi,
Associate Professor,
School of Education,
Babu Banarasi Das University, Lucknow.

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