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What are co-curricular activities? Discuss the features of co-curricular activities. - Nandan Dutta

What are co-curricular activities? Discuss the features of co-curricular activities.

by - March 19, 2025

What are co-curricular activities? Discuss the features of co-curricular activities.

What are the main features of co-curricular activities ?

Definition and features of co-curricular activities.




Concept / definition of co-curricular activities.


In modern times, the goal of education is the all-round development of the student. It is not possible to develop the students all-round by keeping them confined to the curriculum alone. Keeping in mind the mental, intellectual, physical, moral, vocational, cultural - etc. development of the student, student participatory activities are conducted in many other areas along with the curriculum. Therefore, all types of activities inside and outside the school are included in co-curricular activities.

Psychologist Park said - Co-curricular activities are about introducing students to various diverse situations.

Jamieson said - Co-curricular activities implement the objectives of the curriculum.

Pica Smith said - Co-curricular activities make it easier for students to understand the curriculum.

Poynton says - Co-curricular activities are that part of education which introduces children to various aspects of life such as vocational, social, cultural etc. and smoothens their path to participation in them later in life.

Kohen says - which opens the way for children to excel in different fields inside and outside the school , is called Co-curricular activities. 

Therefore, co-curricular activities are - all those planned activities inside and outside the school which are conducted at different stages of students' life development; promote all-round development in children; fulfill the objectives of the curriculum; diversify education and help students to gain different experiences in different fields.

Features of co-curricular activities:-


The different features of co-curricular activities are -

1. Conducted inside and outside the school:-
Co-curricular activities are conducted both inside and outside the school. Children can gain diverse experiences by participating in various cultural programs inside the school, school foundation day celebrations, Independence Day celebrations - etc. and in co-curricular activities outside the school like educational trips, science and health awareness camps at different places, social activities - etc.

2. Supporting the curriculum: -
Co-curricular activities are always supporting the curriculum. The main objective of the curriculum is the all-round development of the student. But the all-round development of the student is not possible only through the curriculum. In this case, co-curricular activities become supportive of the curriculum by filling that gap.


3. Providing diverse experiences: -
Co-curricular activities are diverse in nature. Therefore, students can gain diverse experiences by participating in co-curricular activities. This diverse experience makes them skilled and suitable at different stages of the child's life development.

4. Development of creativity: -
Co-curricular activities are helpful in developing the creativity of students. Students are involved in different activities through co-curricular activities. As a result, the latent talents of the student get an opportunity to develop. Painting, various games, handicrafts, literature practice - all these various co-curricular activities held in schools open up the creativity of the student in specific areas.

5. Helpful in the all-round development of the student:-
For the all-round development of the student, it is necessary to fulfill various needs such as physical, mental, intellectual, cultural, social, moral, vocational - etc. Co-curricular activities fulfill these different needs of the student and develop the student in those specific areas. In order to fulfill the needs of the student in these different areas, his all-round development is organized.

6. Helpful in socialization:-
Co-curricular activities are helpful in the socialization of the student. Most of the co-curricular activities are held in a social context. As a result, by participating in co-curricular activities, the student becomes aware of the society and can identify his role in the society. As a result, interaction is developed between the society and the student.

7. Stimulating interest: -
The school environment and curriculum and along with it, studying sometimes become monotonous for the student. At this time, the co-curricular activities conducted in the school provide the students with varied situations. As a result, the student feels interested in the school and as a result, the basic objectives of the school are fulfilled.


8. Development of nationalism: -
Through various national days celebrated in the school - such as - Independence Day, Republic Day; Birthdays of various thinkers - such as - Swami Vivekananda's birthday, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's birthday; various social service activities - etc., the student gets acquainted with his national life and a sense of nationality is developed in the student.

9. Development of internationalism:-
Co-curricular activities are helpful in developing internationalism among students. Through various programs held in schools, students get acquainted with international life. For example, through tree plantation programs on World Environment Day, World Women's Day, etc., students get the opportunity to get acquainted with international activities and programs. As a result, a sense of internationalism is developed among them.

10. Helps in the development of democracy:-
The only identity of a student in school is that of a student. In schools, a democratic environment is created for students, ignoring issues such as lineage, social class, caste, economic prosperity, etc. In addition, students sit together in school, play together, eat tiffin together; above all, they participate in various co-curricular activities as a group. Through these, democracy develops among students and they become familiar with democratic ideals.

11. Variety:-
Co-curricular activities are always different. For example, the four main co-curricular activities celebrated in schools are - celebrating the school's foundation day, creating and maintaining the garden, cleaning the classroom, and celebrating the national day. These four co-curricular activities are different in nature.

12. Absence of Evaluation:-
Co-curricular activities are conducted for the all-round development of the student inside and outside the school. But there is no connection between examinations or evaluation with these. The co-curricular evaluation of the student is organized through various problematic situations presented before the student; but no traditional evaluation system is followed.

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