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Co-curricular activities are any activities designed in
addition to the teaching and learning process in the
classroom. These activities provide students with
opportunities to enhance, strengthen, and practice the
skills and values learned in the classroom. In Malaysia,
co-curricular activities encompass participation in
sports and games, clubs and societies, as well as
participation in uniformed units. The coordination of
co-curricular activities in schools shows that it can
provide many benefits to students. Therefore, let us
outline the benefits obtained from participating in
co-curricular activities.
One of the benefits students can gain from participating
in co-curricular activities is filling their leisure
time with useful activities. For example, participation
in sports clubs requires students to attend training
sessions held after school hours. This indirectly can
help prevent them from engaging in non-productive
activities such as loitering and social issues that have
become a controversy among school students today. In
addition, busy parents need not worry about the
whereabouts of their children if they are involved in
co-curricular activities at school. It is clear that
co-curricular activities provide very useful leisure
time activities for students.
Furthermore, students' participation in co-curricular
activities can increase their knowledge. This is because
if they pay attention and do not participate in
co-curricular activities casually like coughing on the
stairs, they will realize that there are many things
they can learn. For example, uniformed unit activities
such as scout associations provide students with
instruction on how to live in the jungle, among others.
Learning things such as pitching tents, lighting fires
using forest wood, and tying knots are not learned in
the classroom but are instead specific to students who
participate in uniformed activities that interest them.
In addition, students who participate in co-curricular
activities at school can build their own self-identity.
Students will participate in activities such as marching
bands that require self-discipline and mental and
physical strength to listen and follow instructions
given. At the same time, students need to cooperate with
other peers to achieve uniform and regular movement.
Furthermore, co-curricular activities require students
to hold positions such as chairman, secretary,
treasurer, committee members, and ordinary members in
their respective clubs and societies. Indirectly,
students need to learn the values required to hold
important positions in an organization. As a result,
students will become more responsible and have
experiences that can enhance their self-identity after
participating in co-curricular activities.
Finally, the benefits gained from participating in
co-curricular activities are fostering unity among
students. Schools are alma maters in forming the unity
of a particular community for young people. Therefore,
co-curricular activities will involve participation from
students consisting of various racial, ethnic, and
religious backgrounds. For example, sports activities
require mutual understanding between teams to win the
competition. Here, students will learn how to
communicate with each other and understand values such
as compromise and respect for their peers. With this,
any differences of opinion can be avoided and a
harmonious and humane life can be created. As a result,
students' involvement in co-curricular activities can
create unity and contribute to the development of their
social skills.
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