Abstract:
The purpose of this study is to determine the factors affecting participation and performances of school physical education in upper basic stages (grades eight, nine, and ten). A stratified clustered random sample of 526 male and female students was selected. This sample responded to a questionnaire constructed by the researcher for the purpose of the study. On the light of the data analysis, the study reached the following results: students participating in the study ranked the factors affecting their participation in physical education in order of importance, the most important factors were friends and their influences, followed by parents’ influence, mass media, schools, and finally facilities and availability of equipment. Significant differences due to students’ gender on the identified factors were found; these differences were in favor of males. The study recommended developing schools’ facilities and building links with local sport centers or clubs along with arranging more activities inter school competitions, and tournaments between schools in the surrounding areas. Sending invitations to families and teachers to attend the activities may increase parents’ support. The school intercom facilities may be used to inform students and teachers of any oncoming sports events and any team or individual successes, thus increasing interest and support.
