PHILOSOPHICAL THEORIES AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Curriculum as a field of study has underlying ideas, beliefs, theories and assumptions which affects its process. Curriculum development is a vital component in the educational process and its main objective is to fashion out a programme of education that will foster worthwhile ideas and values of the society. This paper therefore looks at the philosophical theories and their implications for curriculum development.  Key concepts such as philosophy, theory, curriculum, curriculum development are clarified. Philosophical theories of perennialism, idealism, pragmatism, existentialism and essentialism with their implications for curriculum development are also discussed.