The extracurricular activities and student development of secondary school: Learning from Indonesia

Islamic education (Madrasah) mostly accepts students with economic backgrounds whose parents are poor. their psychological performance is low as they lack self-confidence, and also lack achievement motivation. In strengthening psychological performance, it can be intervened through students’ participation both in student organizations and extracurricular activities in school. This study aimed to determine the development of positive values in students at the educational unit level and the follow-up of its development at the ministerial level. This research used descriptive qualitative approach by observing, interviewing and collecting supporting documents. Research subjects and informants were sampled from the education unit level and the ministry level. Data validity was performed by triangulation sources and methods, while data analysis method employed interactive analysis. The results indicate that the development of positive values in students at the educational unit level includes academic skills development, social-emotional development, leadership development and self-confidence in all areas of extracurricular activities. Follow-up development at the ministerial level is in the form of competitions within the framework of developing these skills. This finding explains the importance of extracurricular activities to improve a positive personality and the character of Islamic secondary school students. With this, every school must try to encourage and design the right steps for students involved in extracurricular activities.