Co-curricular

Implementation Policy for Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities refer to any activities planned outside the classroom teaching and learning process (curriculum) that provide students with opportunities to enhance, strengthen, and practice the skills and values learned in the classroom. "
In the Government Gazette dated December 28, 1967, No. 5652 (Course Regulations) 1956, these activities were known as "Group Activities".
In the Government Gazette dated December 31, 1997, Vol. 41, No. 26, Supplement No. 94, Government Notice A.P.U. (A) 531, Education Act 1996, the Regulations (National Co-curricular) provided the definition of Co-curricular:
Co-curricular activities in government and government-assisted schools shall include the following:

• Participation in sports and games.
• Participation in clubs and societies.
• Participation in uniformed units.

• Other activities as determined by the Minister of Education.

MAIN POLICY (1) CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES ARE PART OF THE NATIONAL CURRICULUM

Refer to Section 18, Education Act 1996 (Act 550).

“"The National Curriculum is an educational program that includes both the curriculum and co-curricular activities that encompass all knowledge, skills, norms, values, cultural elements, and beliefs to help fully develop a student physically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally and to instill desired moral values and convey knowledge.".”

Regulation 3(1) of the Education Regulations (National Curriculum) 1997 published as PU(A) 531/97.

• The implementation of co-curricular activities in schools is MANDATORY.
• Failure or reluctance to participate in co-curricular activities is an offense that, when convicted, may result in a fine or imprisonment or both under the general penalty.

Section 135 of the Education Act 1996 (Act 550): General Penalty

• “(1) A person who commits an offense under Act 550 for which no penalty is expressly provided may, when convicted, be fined not exceeding five thousand ringgit or imprisoned for a term not exceeding six months or both." ”
• “(2) A person who commits a continuous offense under Act 550 may, when convicted, be liable to a daily fine not exceeding five hundred ringgit in addition to any other penalty that may be imposed on him under Act 550 in respect of that offense for each day the offense continues". ”

MAIN POLICY (2) STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IS MANDATORY

• The intended objective of co-curricular activities is the participation of every student. Every student must participate in at least one uniformed group activity, one club or society, and one sports or game activity. (Item 5.1 Special Circular Letter Bil. 1/1985 KP(BS)8591/Jld. II(29)).
• Schools should provide ample opportunities for students to participate in co-curricular activities of their interest. For this purpose, the Principal/Headmaster is empowered to establish clubs/societies in the school as provided for in Regulation 4 of the Education Regulations (School Societies) 1998 published as PU(A)196/98.
• Student participation, attendance, and achievements in co-curricular activities must be recorded and assessed. This is emphasized in Item 8.2.1 Special Circular Letter Bil. 1/1985 and Item 2.1 Special Circular Letter Bil. 2/1986).
• The absence of a student from a co-curricular activity for which the student has registered is an offense that may result in disciplinary action if found guilty, similar to the action taken for truancy from school or class. This should be stipulated in the School Rules and Regulations and should be known to the students and their parents.

MAIN POLICY (3) PARTICIPATION OF ALL TEACHERS IS MANDATORY

• The participation of all teachers as civil servants in the administration, supervision, and management of co-curricular activities in schools is mandatory.
• The participation of all teachers is required to ensure the effectiveness of the implementation of co-curricular activities in schools” (Item 5.2 in Special Circular Letter Bil. 1/1985).
• Each teacher in the school must be given specific, detailed, and quantitative tasks and responsibilities in the field of co-curricular activities in the school, as is done in the curriculum field.
• The reluctance of teachers to perform the tasks and responsibilities assigned is an offense in terms of service requirements or compliance and the responsibility of a civil servant or moral and professional teaching authority that may be subject to disciplinary action according to the "Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations (Chapter D)." ”.

MAIN POLICY (4) IMPLEMENTATION OF "CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES"”

• “"Co-curricular activities" carried out in schools must be any activities planned as an extension of the teaching and learning process (P&P) in the classroom that provide students with opportunities to gain, strengthen, and practice knowledge, skills, and values learned in the classroom ” (Regulation 2 in the Education Regulations (National Curriculum) 1997).
• Each co-curricular activity carried out must be planned with the intention of having goals, objectives, implementation methods, a curriculum of activities, and a pragmatic and progressive assessment scheme.
• Each co-curricular activity carried out must contain elements of new knowledge, experiences, and skills as well as pure values that help develop students intellectually, physically, emotionally, and spiritually in a balanced manner.

MAIN POLICY (5) PARTICIPATION "EN MASSE"”

• The implementation of co-curricular activities in schools should be based on the principle of mass participation without any elements of discrimination or coercion but focused on enhancing unity and integration among students (Special Circular Letter Bil. 17/2000 dated November 16, 2000).
• Co-curricular activities carried out in schools should be cross-disciplinary, integrated, and not exclusive. Participation is open to all students.

SUPPORTING POLICIES IN CO-CURRICULAR IMPLEMENTATION IN SCHOOLS

• Schools, especially those with limited facilities for co-curricular activities, should encourage their students to participate in community service, collaborate in improving school premises, carry out activities that emphasize racial unity, patriotism, morality, and other suitable activities for comprehensive education and character formation – (Item 5.3 in Special Circular Letter Bil. 1/1985, KP(BS)8591/Jld.(929)).
• Co-curricular activities in schools can be implemented with the involvement and participation of the local community members – (Refer to Subitem 4.2.1 and Subitem 5.2 in Special Circular Letter Bil. 4/1985 KP. 8591-11(32)entitled “School as a Community Institution ”}.
• The Ministry of Education encourages students to actively participate in Uniformed Units activities available in schools. In line with this policy, teachers and students are also allowed to participate in activities such as camps, parades, and courses organized from time to time by government agencies or registered non-governmental organizations - (Special Circular Letter Bil. 24/1998).
• The Ministry of Education allows schools to organize educational visits for students during school hours in a planned manner. The Ministry also encourages interested parents to participate in these visits - (Special Circular Letter Bil. 12/2000).
• In line with the goals of the National Education Philosophy, the Ministry of Education emphasizes that students in schools should be given space to develop their potential comprehensively and integratively so that they become balanced individuals in terms of intellect, spirituality, emotions, and physicality - (Special Circular Letter Bil. 18/2000).
• Schools should give recognition to teachers and students or individuals (for their participation, involvement, and achievements in co-curricular activities in schools). Recognition should not only be limited to success or victory, but should also be given to students who have good discipline - (Subitem 8.2.4 in Special Circular Letter Bil. 1/1985).
• Schools should provide opportunities for students to develop their talents and potentials in co-curricular areas of their interest to the highest level, including international levels.
• Students should also be given the opportunity to showcase their talents and excellence to the public.