Extracurricular activities promote development and equity of opportunity for youth

Intrinsic motivation

The coalition 'VO Rotterdam en Omgeving' has commissioned research into the after-school offerings at its schools. This research shows that most schools have a broad and varied offer that they would like to develop further. The research shows that after school activities are often appreciated by students and that participation is mainly driven by intrinsic motivation, such as learning something new or social interaction. External factors such as lack of time play a role in not participating in activities. This highlights the importance of involving students in selecting activities.

After school activities

Several studies show that the school environment and the broader community can have a positive impact on students. Connecting regular and extracurricular learning can stimulate their development. After school activities contribute to a more positive self-image, especially for children from socioeconomically disadvantaged situations. Students who participate in these activities often experience positive effects on their social skills and personal development. After school offerings not only promote a positive school climate but also improve overall school performance. Schools thus play a crucial role in increasing equity of opportunity and fully developing the talents of all young people.

The School and Environment Program

The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) established the School and Environment program to promote equal opportunities. This program provides extra activities for students, tailored to local needs. In Rotterdam, the school boards CVO, BOOR and LMC-VO have joined forces in the local coalition VO Rotterdam en Omgeving. They offer a wide range of after school activities that contribute to various areas of development.