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.