A Survey of Elementary School Students’ Interest in Pencak Silat Extracurricular Activities within Physical Education Learning in Makassar City

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to examine elementary school students’ interest in pencak silat extracurricular activities within physical education learning in Makassar City.
Materials and Methods: This study used a quantitative descriptive survey design. The participants were 120 students from public and private elementary schools in Makassar City, selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using questionnaires, observations, and interviews, then analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: The findings showed that students’ interest in pencak silat extracurricular activities was categorized as high, with an average score of 81.2%. Students perceived pencak silat as enjoyable and beneficial for improving physical fitness, self-confidence, discipline, responsibility, and social interaction. Supporting factors included enjoyable training methods, teacher and coach encouragement, parental support, peer interaction, and competition opportunities. The main obstacles were limited facilities, schedule conflicts, fatigue after school lessons, and limited training space.
Conclusions: Elementary school students in Makassar City showed high interest in pencak silat extracurricular activities. Pencak silat can support students’ physical, psychological, social, and character development. Schools should improve facilities, provide qualified coaches, and arrange effective training schedules to strengthen student participation.