Journal of African Studies and Sustainable Development

Education has no end or purpose beyond the fruitful extension or enlightenment of the experienced life of the learner. All individuals are important and the experiences of each are relevant to the experiences of the whole in the promotion of the overall interest of the society within the social milieu. By means of philosophical analysis, the paper finds out that Dewey’s philosophy of pragmatism emphasizes education to meet the diverse needs, interests, and aspirations of students through his child centered curriculum. It also stresses scientific approach to problem solving, experimentation and investigations through results-oriented academic approach. It further discovers that this philosophy is relevant to the modern-day educational practice due to its emphasis on science and technology but lacks the philosophical assumptions of the existing educational system and practice from the standpoint of compatibility, consistency and adequacy. It concludes that if education must induce the necessary behavioral and attitudinal changes in the learners for self realization and societal development, educational practice must be responsive and adaptable to the changing needs of the individual and the Nigerian society.

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