Can After School Courses Improve Academic Performance? Here is What Research Says
Every parent wants their child to do well in school. Along with getting good marks in the exams, they also hope their child becomes confident, creative, and ready for the future. For this reason, many after school courses have become popular among Indian families.
You should be aware that every child learns differently. Some kids like to code, others perform better in art, music, or public speaking. Further, attending after school courses can help kids to learn about their interests and skills that can help them in the future.
Moreover, research by the OECD, UNESCO, CASEL, and the Harvard Graduate School of Education suggests that learning beyond textbooks can help improve children’s overall development. In addition, India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 also promotes holistic education by promoting creativity, practical learning, communication, and emotional well-being along with academics.
What Are After School Courses?
After School Courses are structured programmes that children attend after school to learn new skills in an enjoyable way. Unlike regular tuition, these after school learning programmes focus on practical learning and creativity. At present, coding, robotics, public speaking, music, art, language learning, chess, and personality development are trending courses among the students. Many parents also choose online after school courses because their kids do not need to go anywhere else to learn something after their school hours. These after school activities for students help children stay curious while building confidence and useful life skills.
Can After School Courses Improve Academic Performance?
When kids join after school courses of their interest, it can help them learn new skills beyond regular school hours. Unlike tuition classes, these after school learning programmes help children to focus on practical learning and enhance their creativity. Today, many kids like coding, robotics, music, art, language learning, and public speaking. Many families also prefer online after school courses for their flexibility. These after school activities for students encourage curiosity, confidence, and overall skill development.
What Research Says About After School Courses
As this concept of after school courses is new for Indian parents, they want some evidence before enrolling their children in additional learning programmes. Several well-known education organisations believe that children learn better when education is just not related to textbooks only. Their findings show that atttending After School Courses of their choice can support both academic learning and overall development.
OECD: Learning Beyond the Classroom
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) says education should prepare children for real life, not just exams. Through its PISA study, the OECD looks at skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork, and applying knowledge in everyday life.
Furthermore, many After School Courses help children build these skills through activities like coding, robotics, music, and public speaking.
UNESCO: Every Child Should Learn in Different Ways
According to UNESCO, the goal of education should be providing support to child’s intellectual, social, emotional, and creative growth. In place of relying only on memorisation of concepts, children should also learn by exploring, collaborating, and performing hands-on activities.
In this way, learning After School Courses can be valuable for them. They encourage children to ask questions, explore their interests, and develop confidence while learning things in an enjoyable way.
NEP 2020 Supports Holistic Learning
India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 motivates schools to focus on practical learning, creativity, arts, sports, and life skills for students along with academics. This approach, known as NEP 2020 holistic education, aims to help children learn everything from academics to skills.
In addition, the Ministry of Education’s UDISE+ 2023–24 report shows that India has over 24.8 crore school students studying in more than 14.7 lakh schools. As education moves towards skill-based learning, attending After School Courses can give students additional options to practise these important skills.
CASEL and Harvard: Learning Is More Than Marks
Research by CASEL shows that children also need social and emotional skills like self-awareness, teamwork, good communication, and responsible decision-making. Activities such as public speaking classes for students and group projects help children develop these skills in a natural way.
Moreover, the Harvard Graduate School of Education also says that children learn better when they enjoy what they are learning and feel supported. When parents choose After School Courses based on their child’s interests, children are more likely to stay motivated, build confidence, and take part actively in both school and everyday learning.
Indian Government Data Also Supports Holistic Learning
India’s education system is giving more importance to practical learning along with academics. Under NEP 2020 holistic education, the focus is on helping children build skills that are useful in real life.
The PARAKH National Survey 2024 by NCERT found that many students can remember what they learn, but they need more practice in applying concepts, solving real-life problems, and thinking critically. Similarly, the National Achievement Survey (NAS) 2021 by the Ministry of Education highlighted the need to improve conceptual understanding instead of only memorising lessons.
These reports do not suggest replacing school education. Instead, they show that children can benefit from learning opportunities that help them develop communication, creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills alongside their regular studies.
Which After School Courses Can Help Improve Overall Development of the Kids?
The best course depends on the interests, age, and learning goals of the kids. However, you can take help from the following table to get can idea about useful after school courses for your children:
| Popular After School Courses | ||
|---|---|---|
| Course | Skills Developed | How It Helps Learning |
| Coding | Logical thinking, problem solving | Helps in Maths and computational thinking |
| Public Speaking | Confidence, communication | Improves presentations and classroom participation |
| Robotics | Creativity, teamwork | Supports STEM learning |
| Art & Craft | Observation, imagination | Encourages creative expression |
| Music | Memory, discipline | Improves focus and listening skills |
| Language Learning | Vocabulary, communication | Strengthens reading and writing |
| Creative Writing | Imagination, expression | Improves language skills and storytelling |
How to Choose the Right After School Course
Every child is different, so you should choose After School Courses that match your child’s interests instead of following trends. Parents should always look for experienced teachers and practical learning. Also, you should help the kids create a schedule that leaves enough time for studies, play, rest, and family.
Furthermore, the connection between academic success and extracurricular activities is not about replacing school education. It is more about helping children learn new skills, build confidence, and use what they learn in everyday life.
If you are looking for After School Courses for your kids, HomeShiksha provides coding, robotics, public speaking, creative arts, language learning, and other skill development courses for students. From there, parents can choose online programmes that can match the interests and learning pace of the child.
After School Courses FAQs:
Do After School Courses really help improve academic performance?
Research suggests that after school courses can improve concentration, communication, confidence, and problem-solving skills. These abilities may help children learn better and participate more actively in school.
Which are the best After School Courses for school students?
The best option of extra curricular courses depends on the aptitude and interest of your kid. Based on the interest of your child, you can enroll them to coding, robotics, music, language learning, public speaking, sports, and creative arts.
Are online after school courses effective for kids?
Yes. If kids attend systematic and organised online after school courses with interactive lessons, experienced teachers, and practical activities, it can be as useful as offline programmes.
How do extracurricular activities help children in academics?
Extracurricular activities and academic performance can easily be connected. If children learn about discipline, teamwork, creativity, communication, and time management, they can make progress in every point of life, including academics.
How many after-school activities should a child join?
Many experts recommend to maintain a healthy balance between the academics and extra-curricular activities. One or two meaningful activities are enough for kids. It will allow children to enjoy learning while still having time for schoolwork, rest, and family.