Abstract:

Extracurricular activities are integral part of the Croatian educational system. Primary education (compulsory) is free and includes all children from age 6-15. Every pupil is free to choose, in addition to the regular school subjects, an extracurricular activity of their preference. Extracurricular activities are partly provided by teachers in schools and partly by trainers or tutors of external courses at music schools, sport clubs etc. This paper presents the results of pupils’ satisfaction with basic aspects of extracurricular activities in the fourth grade of primary school. The research was done in eight schools in the county of Istria, Croatia. All pupils in this research (N=138) are included in extracurricular activities of some sort. In the paper, all the activities are divided in the following categories: arts and aesthetic education including literature, sports education, technical and ICT education and others. Results consider only extracurricular activities provided in schools and show that there is a statistically significant difference in satisfaction with extracurricular activities between girls and boys. There is also a difference in satisfaction regarding the choice and type of extracurricular activities .These activities provide possibility for creative work and learning in a new way through experience. Thus pupils should satisfy their needs, deepen their interests and abilities to improve self-esteem and confidence. Pupils should be free to choose an activity of their own choice and should be satisfied with it or else how can we expect pupils to use their leisure time in a constructive way.

Keywords:

Primary school, extracurricular activities, satisfaction, creative work, learning, leisure time.