| Abstrakt: |
Objective: The objective of the current investigation was to execute a comprehensive needs assessment concerning extracurricular and leisure activities for students enrolled in multigrade elementary schools within Khalkhal County. Methods: This inquiry is categorized as applied research with a specific focus on needs assessment, employing a mixed-methods approach. The study's participants encompassed educators, school administrators, male and female students, parents, specialists, and advocates in the domain of extracurricular and leisure activities, who were purposefully selected from multi-grade rural schools in Khalkhal County and interviewed until the point of saturation was achieved. To quantitatively assess the content validity, the study utilized the Content Validity Ratio (CVR) and the Content Validity Index (CVI). The analysis of data was executed through thematic analysis employing open, axial, and selective coding methodologies, while prioritization of needs was conducted using the Delphi technique. Results: The findings of the study revealed that the needs assessment pertaining to extracurricular activities comprised 17 distinct components, with the highest priority assigned to the acquisition of new skills and experiences, extracurricular academic and educational classes, alongside scientific competitions. Furthermore, the needs assessment related to leisure activities identified 14 components, with the foremost priorities being artistic endeavors, indigenous and local games, as well as cultural and sports competitions. The results indicated that the leisure and extracurricular activity requirements of female and male students exhibited notable disparities. Conclusions: The findings derived from this study may serve as a foundational framework for recognizing and strategizing to address the deficiencies in formal and extracurricular education, thereby fostering educational equity for students in rural educational settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
