Exploring the Role of School Management in Supporting Extracurricular Activities and Academic Success in South Punjab

Abstract

Education in South Punjab faces persistent challenges, including resource limitations, rote-based learning, and insufficient emphasis on holistic student development. Extracurricular activities (ECAs) are recognised as key contributors to academic success, social skills, and personal growth, but their effectiveness depends heavily on the support of school management. This study investigated the role of school management in promoting ECAs and examined their relationship with students’ academic performance in government high schools of District Muzaffargarh. The population of the study included 150,568 students, 45,122 teachers, and 8,083 administrators across government high schools in District Muzaffargarh. Using a stratified random sampling technique, a sample of 384 respondents was selected, comprising 254 students, 80 teachers, and 50 administrators. Data were collected through structured questionnaires on a 5-point Likert scale and analysed quantitatively. Findings revealed that stakeholders largely perceived school management as supportive of extracurricular activities. Results also showed a positive relationship between student participation in ECAs and academic performance, with some gender-based differences noted among administrators and students. The study concludes that school management plays a vital role in integrating ECAs into school culture, which in turn strengthens academic outcomes and overall development. It recommends policy initiatives to institutionalise ECAs, ensure gender-inclusive participation, and conduct regular program evaluations for sustained impact.