The examination of the functionality of educational clubs in secondary school according to the opinions of principals, teachers and the students

The main purpose of this study is to examine the functionality of educational clubs in secondary schools from the point of principal, teacher and the students. In line with the general objectives to the belief in the necessity of educational clubs, the benefits for the students have been consulted about what needs to be done in the implementation process to make the clubs more effective. The method of the study is the mixed method, used in conjunction with quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative aspect of research is composed of 469 students, who has been studying in different types of secondary schools in Adana in 2012-2013 educational year. The percentages of the responses to the survey and demographic variables and frequencies are set. Also cross breading was made with the responses and the demographic variables. The data obtained was decaded and interpreted with the help of SPSS for windows version 15.0 in the computer by using statistical techniques. In order to investigate, views of the participants in-dept and multi-dimensional interview method was used in the data collection process. Interview was applied on 14 club teachers, working in secondary schools in the central district of Adana and six managers in these institutions. Data was prepared with semi-structured interview form, designed by the researcher. In the analysis of data from the content, analysis technique was used. It is determined that %31 of the students have not been participated in any activity of educational clubs, they have been involved in. Most of the students agree on the idea that the educational clubs are necessary and beneficial for themselves. On the other hand, It has been observed that the rest of other students ratio who don't agree isn't in a sustainable level. Regarding the types of the schools, the replies of the inquiry show variability. In that context, the belief in that the educational clubs are necessary and beneficial among the students of the Anatolian High School is rate optimistic than the rest of the students who are in other local high schools. After all, the belief of the students of the Science High School is at a very minimal level. Most of the students agree on the idea that the educational club activities need to be improved and the obstacles against the educational club activities need to be removed. In the survey, applied according to the gender of students there hasn't observed any distinctive difference. As a result of quantitative research data, club consultants and directors have indicated that elementary and secondary education intuitions social activities regulation of ministry of National Education creates a workload of document and it is needed to have descripted instructions and circular. According to the club consultants and directors of schools, it has been seen that there hasn't been payed enough attention and due to various and due to various problems the educational club activities cannot be put into practice in an efficient way. The ideas such as the physical equipment of the schools not being appropriate for the club activities, not providing any yield from the aspect of finance (monetary), there being course load at school and the students and the directors not taking the activities up seriously are the reasons of teachers being reluctant about educational club activities. With the request of the parents of the students, academicals success being more important to the parents makes the educational club activities, of second importance. All the managers indicate that the file of educational clubs is prepared disorderly and carelessly, the files do not involve the original activity report and the documents in the file are written only on a paper according to the club regulations, the samples of activities are downloaded and signed by changing only theirs dates and names. It is seen that the managers complain about the teacher's practices and their indifference to the clubs. As a result; student, club advisors and managers believe that educational clubs are beneficial for students' personal growth, being active socially, but they emphasize that these educational clubs are not applied because of various reasons. The most important factor of the applications not reaching the aim that the students being reluctant for the activities, because of the applications are applied on enforcement of the club teachers and the students. It should be provided that the students and club advisors participate in the activities voluntarily to reach the aim of the activity. On the other hand; the education system which is based on exam is considered beyond the students' academic, social, and sportive success in teaching. Applying a program, primarily detaining students from the marathon of the exams and which is based on contributing to the growth of students as socially and sportively will make possible the students who are grown up as socially and physically. Key Words: Extracurricular activities, educational club, social club, educative club activities