The Influence of Student Participation on Non-formal Educational Activities on their School Performance

Abstract

Students' participation in structured non-formal education activities, organized in
educational units, is an important element because it contributes to the
development of their personality, and helps students to form positive skills
towards learning, acquire skills, and problem-solving strategies. According to
Feldman & Matjasko (2007), non-formal education activities have positive effects
on students through better school performance; lower dropout rate; better
psychological state, increased self-esteem, less worries about the future; reduced
feeling of social isolation; and low level of delinquent behaviors. The present
study aims to analyze whether the development of a program of non-formal
educational activities, designed, organized, and carried out by teaching staff in
close collaboration with other educational partners such as parents, and NGOs,
contributes to increasing the school performance of students from primary. The
value of the Pearson correlation index confirms that in the case of students who
participate in non-formal activities in the formal space, the school performances,
and qualifications in the subjects MEM, M, CLR, and LLR, are superior to those
who do not participate in these activities.