MANAGEMENT OF CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND STUDENTS' SOCIAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT IN THE GOVERNMENT-AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOL SCHOOLS IN NGORA DISTRICT - UGANDA

Abstract

The co-curricular activities in schools are aimed at developing desired social skills among the students. However, government-aided secondary schools in Ngora District are below the desired standard, and there is insufficient data to explain how the management of co-curricular activities is utilized to promote the development of desired social skills among the students. This study, therefore, aimed at examining the influence of management of co-curricular activities on students‘ social skills in government-aided secondary schools in Ngora District. Specifically, the study aimed at examining the influence of management of games on students‘ social skills, assessing the influence of management of debates on students‘ social skills, and establishing the influence of management of athletics on students‘ social skills. The study adopted a descriptive research design involving both qualitative and quantitative methods. The population of the study included head teachers, deputy head teachers, teachers, and students. A sample of 349 respondents participated in the study, and data were collected using questionnaires, Focus Group Discussions, and interviews. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 21 was used to analyze quantitative data, whereas content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. Findings revealed that management of games significantly influences students‘ social skills in government-aided secondary schools in Ngora District, as reflected by the regression analysis with the R Square value of 0.242 (24.2%) and the ANOVAa with a P value of 0.000; management of debate significantly influences students‘ social skills in government-aided secondary schools in Ngora District, as shown by the regression analysis with the R Square of value 0.310 (31.0%) and the ANOVAa with a P value of 0.000; . It was also found out that management of athletics significantly influences students‘ social skills in government secondary schools in Ngora District, as portrayed by the regression analysis with the R Square value of 0.501 (50.1%) and the ANOVAa with a P value of 0.000. The study concludes that management of games, debate, and athletics is critical in enhancing students‘ social skills in schools. It is recommended that the school administration devise strategies for expanding the resources to provide all the students with opportunities to engage in the co-curricular activities. Key Words: co-curricular activities, Students' social skills, Government-Aided Secondary Schools, Ngora District