Abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess the extent to which extracurricular activities contribute to student retention in public secondary schools. The study employed a mixed research approach, and a convergent parallel design. Closed and open-ended questionnaires, semi-structured interview guide and non-participatory observation method were used for data collection. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were utilized in securing a sample of 116 respondents who were involved in the study as source of data. These included 100 students, 5 Heads of school, 5 sports and games teachers, 5 discipline teachers from five public secondary schools in Bariadi district council, including one District Secondary Education Officer. Quantitative data were analyzed through the help of SPSS version 21, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The findings indicate that student participation in extracurricular activities like sports and games, scouts, social clubs as well as student leadership, make them get more engaged, enjoy school life and persevere in their studies. The study also established that extracurricular activities are excellent means of motivating students, which is crucial to their retention. The study recommends governmental and non -governmental leaders to invest more on constructing facilities in schools which can be used for extracurricular activities which promote students’ socialization and sense of belonging which in the long term promotes student retention. To avoid being too monotonous in extracurricular activities, school leaders and teachers should endeavor to be more innovative in introducing a variety of activities which are more attractive and engaging to students.

Abstract: The influence of sport participation on the academic achievement of students has been a topic of debate for decades. The study sought to evaluate the challenges facing students’ participation in sports activities and assess the effects of students’ participation in sports activities on their educational achievement in secondary schools in Arusha district. Green’s Model of Sport Development Theory guided the study. A convergent mixed methods design was adopted to collect both quantitative and qualitative data concurrently using questionnaires and interview guides respectively. The sample size were 81 form four students selected using stratified and simple random sampling technique while 6 school heads and 6 sport teachers and one DEO purposively selected. Validity was established through experts’ judgment whereas reliability test(r = 0.856) of the questionnaires was determined, after a pilot study through test re-test technique and results correlated at Cronbach Alpha coefficient. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically alongside research questions whereas quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented in tables. Findings established that inadequate playing ground, high cost of sports and games materials, lack of interest in sports from students and lack of qualified personnel in coaching pose challenge to smooth running of sports programmes in schools. The study further found that sports improve students’ health, social, increase mental alertness and prepares students for future career. The study recommends that Ministry of Education should formulate good policies on sports, initiate sports academies, introduce games as a subject, provide physical facilities, train sport masters and mistresses as coaches.