Needs Assessment of Leisure Needs of Male and Female Members of Student Organization in Tehran

Measuring leisure needs is an essential step in planning educational development. Educational needs are one of the educational system's foundations that underlie the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the systems. This study was conducted through survey on a sample of 400 students [200 girls (Farzanegan) and 200 boys (Pishtazan)] from elementary school (fourth and fifth grades), guidance and high school in school year 2013-14. Findings show that students at different educational levels are in dire need of leisure activities. The most important leisure needs of students in the student organization are, respectively, the need for tourism, the need for celebrations, the need for collaborative activities, the need for sports, the need for cultural activities, the need for religion and the arts. For all leisure needs, the status quo is not desirable, and there is a gap between the existing and desired state. Furthermore, there is a significant relationship between students’ socio-economic status and their leisure needs. Deprived students need more tourism, sports, participatory, cultural, religious events and celebrations than those belonging to middle and upper classes. The findings also indicate that boys are more in need of tourism, sports and gatherings, celebrations and ceremonies than girls. Girls have a greater need for artistic activities than boys. Implications of the present study emphasize the importance of extracurricular activities for students in the education system. It is important to carry out a comprehensive needs assessment in order to develop a country-wide macro strategy. It is vital to address the disadvantages of leisure programs by focusing on disadvantaged and financially disadvantaged classes, and by educating trained instructors and utilizing the power of capable educators. It is also important to address gender differences in leisure time planning for girls and boys. It is worth noting that in order to meet the leisure needs of students, it is necessary to organize tourism camps, develop and promote sports and literacy skills, formulate promotional reading programs, encourage artistic activities and create diverse artistic associations, create community clubs, vocational clubs, entrepreneurial clubs, and ethics focused on nurturing students' spiritual and moral abilities.