Factors influencing university students' participation in extracurricular activities: a case study of Makerere University

Abstract

Extracurricular activities are activities engaged in outside the standard curriculum. These include sports activities, hobbies, leadership activities among others. This study investigates the possible factors affecting the participation in extracurricular activities of students at Makerere University. The main objective is to find out the main factors influencing the students’ participation in extracurricular activities. An institutional based survey was conducted through convenience sampling and only 100 self-selecting participants participated. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic data, knowledge about extracurricular activities and participation in these activities. Statistical analysis of the data was done using chi-square tests, t-tests, correlation and bivariate analysis to identify the underlying relationships between different variables and participation in extracurricular activities. The study found 83% of the students know extracurricular activities and 67% of them had participated in these activities before joining university. However, majority of them did not participate in these activities while at the university (65%). Seventy-four percent of the students were informed about the activities available at the university. While 84% of the students are aware of facilities on campus where they can engage in these activities, majority of them stated that they needed improvement to be used. The major factor limiting their participation was time (74%), in addition, accessibility (14 %), and cost of participation (11%%). Most of the students (44%) spent a daily average of 6-8 hours a week in scheduled lectures. 46% had classes on the weekend, mostly on Saturday (81%). There was no statistically significant difference in the participation in these activities basing on the course of study (p = 0.126). Academic performance was also not a significant factor (p=0.388). The day of weekend lectures was significant in influencing participation in extracurricular activities (p =0.034) as well as knowledge of extracurricular activities (p=0.028) and prior participation in them before joining university (p = 0.43). In conclusion, the data confirmed that information or awareness of these activities influences the participation in these activities. However, this particular study did not find significant relationships between commonly cited factors that influence participation like gender, CGPA, course studied among others. Although it did not find statistically significant relationships, the respondents listed previously studied influences like time and cost as limitations to participations which proves absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. According to the findings, Makerere University is encouraged to improve the state of the facilities in the university to encourage increased participation in these activities. The university should reduce the time spent in the lecture environment and encourage participation in extracurricular activities. The administration can provide incentives as rewards like scholarships to encourage increased participation.