CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN RUHAAMA COUNTY, NTUNGAMO DISTRICT

Abstract

This study examined the effects of participation in co-curricular activities on student’s academic performance in selected secondary schools in Ruhaama County, Ntungamo District, Uganda and explored the influence of various demographic and home background factors on this participation. It also established the correlation that exists between co-curricular activities’ participation and students’ academic outcome. The study was guided by three primary objectives: 1. Assessing the impact of demographic factors such as age and class on students’ academic performance. 2. Evaluating how students' home backgrounds including parental marital status, education, and socioeconomic status affected their academic performance. 3. Determining the relationship between co-curricular activities’ participation and learners’ academic performance. By using a mixed-method approach, the research analyzed quantitative data through statistical tests and correlation analysis to address the hypotheses that demographic factors and home backgrounds did not significantly influence co curricular participation, and that participation did not significantly affect academic performance. The findings revealed that while demographic factors like age and academic class were significant predictors of co-curricular participation, other factors such as gender, parental marital status, and socio-economic background did not have a substantial impact. The study concluded that there is significant positive relationship between co-curricular activities’ participation and better learners’ academic outcome. The study recommends that it is essential for schools to provide financial support or subsidies for students from low socio-economic backgrounds; and areas of further research were suggested.