Which Extracurriculars Should Your Child Join and Why

Extracurriculars are an essential part of your child’s education. In Malaysian schools both primary and secondary, all students are required to join extracurricular clubs and associations. You may be wondering, why does my child even need to join extracurricular activities? Well, extracurriculars actually offers kids a leg up in their college admissions. Ensuring that they stand a better chance at enrolling at their desired universities. In Malaysia, extracurriculars helps a bit with CGPA. But the crux of it all lies in the students’ attitude more in their achievements or scores. Students who display leadership skills, or active participation in non-profit initiatives or group activities show college recruiters that they have desirable traits. Traits that can greatly help not only with normal admissions but in the acquisition of scholarships. And the only way that your child can show off these traits is through the extracurriculars. Other benefits include health and wellbeing, social interaction, skill development and of course allowing your child to explore their passions and interest in a safe and controlled environment. ‘Kokurikulum’ in the Malaysian Public School System Extracurricular participation is compulsory in all Malaysian public-school systems. The same may not be true for private or international schools. But all in all, depending on what’s available (and how well-funded the school is), your child may have a long list of activities that they can choose from. In Malaysia, all extracurriculars are separated into three categories: Badan Beruniform (Uniformed Bodies) Sukan dan Permainan (Sports and Games) Kelab dan Persatuan (Clubs and Associations) Students are required to join one club in each category. In some cases, your child may not be able to ‘change’ their club once they register for the first time. Although the reasons may be more financial than anything, since the cost for association registration fees, monthly fees, and gear/uniform have already been paid. Here’s the breakdown for each category of extracurriculars in the Malaysian public-school education. Uniformed Bodies This category shares one major trait in that all students are required to wear the signature formal attire associated with their respective associations. The activities typically involve basic military training, medical training, survival training, volunteer efforts, and martial arts. A lot of these clubs involve outdoor activities such as marching practice, and physical exercise, but also practical training. Here are some examples of uniformed bodies: Military: Kadet Polis, Kadet Bomba Medical: Persatuan Bulan Sabit Merah Survival: Pengakap, Pandu Puteri Volunteer: Puteri Islam Martial arts: Taekwondo, Karate, Silat Sports and Games This category easily makes up a longer list than the previous ones. Even the most basic sports and games number by the dozens that is not to include the more uncommon ones such as archery or bowling or horse-riding. Sports and game generally depend on your child’s interests. If they are more physically aligned, rough and tumble sports like football and rugby should entice them. But if they are more cerebral, most schools offer indoor games such as chess and checkers. If your child happens to enrol in a sports school, you can pretty much guarantee they will have no shortage of options. Clubs and Associations Whereas the first two categories focus more on physical activity, Clubs and Associations are more intellectual pursuits. Focusing on things like language, art, music, science, culture, and environmentalism. This is probably where your child should focus more on if they’re truly serious about making a good impression on their college admissions. For instance, some schools have engineering clubs. Depending on how well-funded these clubs are, your child can learn a lot, especially if they supervising teacher knows their stuff. They may even schedule field trips and invite experts for workshops. How to Help Your Kid Choose their Extracurriculars Interest The first method is of course to see what your child actually likes. If your child wants to be a doctor, for instance, joining the Red Crescents would likely be their preferred choice over joining the Scouts. The same applies if they aspire to be an athlete in a particular sport, such as badminton, for example. Practicality The other method is to see if there’s an activity that your child can use in everyday life. Even if it’s not something they enjoy. If your child does not like marching practice, then martial arts would be the safest bet. Not only are martial arts practical for personal safety, it also fosters confidence. The same goes for other clubs and games. Fees Some clubs are simply too expensive to join. Their registration and monthly fees could be beyond your normal budget. So, it’s important to take this into consideration as well. The swimming club for instance would definitely cost more than say, the ping pong club. Convenience Sometimes students will join the least demanding clubs in favour of focusing on their academics. And there is nothing wrong with this logic. Some students are naturally introverted and do not enjoy organised group activities. Unfortunately, many clubs require active participation of their members for scores especially the uniformed bodies. Help Your Child Choose Their Extracurriculars Choosing the right extracurricular activities for your child in Malaysia is a crucial decision that can significantly impact their growth and development. With a plethora of options available, it's essential to consider your child's interests, talents, and aspirations. By providing them with the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities, you can help them build a strong foundation for a successful and fulfilling future. Remember that the key is to strike a balance between academics and extracurriculars to ensure your child's overall development and happiness. For more insightful stories and fun recipes, stay tuned to Motherhood Story!

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