Organised Extra-Curricular and Out-Of-School Activities Pursued by Primary School Pupils . . . . . . .

Abstract

Introduction: Authors of numerous publications released over the past several decades have emphasized the increasing importance and significance of different forms of non-formal learning, including extra-curricular and out-of-school activities that are expected to respond to the needs and expectations of pupils, and to promote development of their interests. This paper attempts to examine the currently available offer of complementary classes for primary school pupils and to describe the most frequently pursued ones.

Research Aim: The purpose of the study was to learn about activities in which learners engage during their leisure time and to describe the extra-curricular and out-of-school activities addressed to primary school pupils. The study was intended to respond to the question of what extra-curricular and out-of-school activities have been organised and what the level of pupil attendance is.  

Method: Diagnostic survey wasthe applied research design. It was addressed to primary school pupils attending grades 6 to 8and was administered online.  Our analyses included 868 questionnaires correctly completed by young respondents from four Polish provinces.

Results: The study revealed two more or less equally numbered groups of pupils: active pupils, engaging in different non-compulsory activities and significant number of pupils not using any form of organised non-formal activities. Different types of activities extending the school curriculum as well as sports classes were the prevailing types of activities.

Conclusions: The goal should be to make extra-curricular and out-of-school activities more varied to make them refer to formal education to a much smaller extent, and to reveal more areas of human activity.