Co-curricular and Extra-curricular Activities in Schools and Colleges

Definition

Co-curricular activities are the activities that enable to supplement and complement the classroom curriculum in some way and are a very important part of educational institutions to develop the student’s personality and to strengthen classroom learning. Such activities are an essential part of school and college life, be it inside the classroom or in the playground. Though co-curricular activities are not a part of the core curriculum, they play a very crucial role in giving young students the ability to shape up their lives. Intellectual aspects of personality are solely accomplished by the classroom, while aesthetic development, character building, spiritual and physical growth, moral values, creativity, etc. are supported by co-curricular activities. These activities are important for every student to participate, and are designed and balanced with the academic curriculum so that every student gets to learn beyond subjects. Students should engage in at least two co-curricular activities to utilize their energy completely and explore their talents.
Extra-curricular activities are the components of the non-academic curriculum that help to develop various facets of the personality development of the students. These activities are organized after school hours and do not provide instruction to supplement the academic curriculum and include volunteering, social clubs, sports teams, music classes, dance recitals, martial arts, competitions, etc.

Benefits:

There are many benefits of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities which play a very important role in the internationalization of higher education, a few of them are mentioned below.
Students participating in these activities show better academic results, stronger relationships in schools and colleges, develop in themselves critical skills and abilities to be successful in their national and international workplaces and lead healthy and active lifestyle.
Such activities facilitate the development of various domains of mind and personality such as intellectual, emotional, social, moral, and aesthetic development promoting creativity, enthusiasm and positive thinking in the students.
Activities such as cultural events, library activities, science lab and classroom activities and creative arts develop social and intellectual skills, moral values and character appeal, and enhance the personality of the students, whereas athletics, gymnastics, yoga, indoor games and meditation relieve academic stress and improve student’s physical fitness as well as mental health.
Debates, recitation, art and craft, creative art, competitions and classroom activities like reading, group discussions help students sharpen their expression skills and public speaking.
Such activities also help students in the enhancement of their overall personality, strengthening of self confidence, improvement of academic performance, getting greater opportunities in the future pursuits and building sense of responsibilities.
Participating in activities is a superb resume-builder, can add more personality to a resume and improve the quality of the student’s overall job prospects at national and international level.
Activities like communications, and leadership skills, in addition to team integrity and coordination skills, time-management and office environment flexibility can equip the students with the skills they need to succeed after they graduate.
While studying in a foreign country, the students through such activities learn to understand different religions, values and social ethics, patience, motivational skills, compatibility and contentment which help them to become global citizens

Activities can be categorized in different types as follows:

Academic Activities: Book clubs, Poetry recitation, Debates and discussion, Drama, Declamation contest, Story and essay writing competition, Art & craft, Wall magazine, Computer Coding and Computer Gaming competition, Magazine/ Newsletter Writing, Editing, and Publishing, Media Design, Graphic Designing, Web Designing, Digital art, Preparation of chart & models.
Physical Activities: Sports, Outdoor and indoor games, Mass drill/P.T./ parade/prayer, N.C.C, Yoga, Athletics, Bicycling, Cricket, Football, Basketball, Boxing, Volleyball, Physical exercise, Fitness training, Boxing, Martial art.
Cultural Activities: Dance, songs, Fancy-dress competitions, Musical activities,
Arts and Craft Activities: Album making, Doll making, Cooking, Photography, Clay modeling, Collage making, Basket making, Knitting, Book Binding, School/ Flower decoration, Sculpture making, Album making, Toy making, Soap making, Modeling, Carpentry, Drawing and painting, Decoration, Weaving, Tailoring, Cardboard work, Leatherwork.
Social Activities: Scouting and guiding, School council activities,
Excursions Activities: Hiking, Special visits, Trekking, Trips to the places of historical and geographical importance, Monument excursion.
Civic Activities: Organizing camps such as first aid camp, cleanliness camp, social service in the neighborhood, Celebration of festivals.
Leisure Activities: Model making, Coin collection, Stamp collection, Train enthusiast, Museum, Monument excursion, Gardening.