Exploring the effectiveness of Co-curricular activities in Developing Students' Soft Skills at University Level

Abstract

This qualitative research investigates the effectiveness of co-curricular activities in developing student soft skills in science teacher courses in promoting science to the community. This study aims to uncover the perceptions, practices, and challenges associated with integrating and promoting science in the community via in-depth interviews, focus groups, and participant statements applying pre-service science teachers, teacher educators, and curriculum developers. The findings reveal that while there is a strong recognition of the importance of environmental awareness, various barriers, such as insufficient curriculum content, lack of practical training opportunities, and limited institutional support, hinder effective implementation. This study explores the efficacy of counseling interventions in enhancing these skills in science students. Using a qualitative -methods approach, we conducted in-depth interviews and focus groups with science students and faculty members. The public university of Punjab province teachers and students was selected as a sample. Almost 25 teachers and 25 students were selected for the interview. The data were collected from teachers and students of university. It was required the personal efforts for gathering data from selected sample, so the investigator of the study decided to assemble data and visited the university personally. Moreover, the study highlights educators' innovative strategies to overcome these obstacles, emphasizing experiential learning, interdisciplinary approaches, and community engagement. The results underscore the need for a comprehensive re-evaluation of science teacher education curricula to better equip coming teachers with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to advocate for and teach sustainability. This research contributes to the ongoing discourse on education in teacher preparation, offering insights and recommendations for policymakers, educators, and institutions committed to promoting sustainability through science education.

Keywords: Community participation, Curricular activities, Co-curricular activities, Academic performance