An evaluation of the primary education curricula in accordance with pragmatism and progressivism from the foundation of Republic to today

Turkey?s modernism progress starting by the republic affected the education system and in this process the integrity between the foundation philosophy of state and basic philosophy of education system provided positive improvements in education. In this period, old curriculums that were designed according to theocratic- monarchic ideology were replaced by the new curriculums that were designed in accordance with positivist philosophy and pragmatist attitude and moreover by the ideology of republic; secular education took place of religious education. But in this process, the inefficient use of education philosophy caused some consequences become corporation which was created by some problems that had been the source of problems for even today?s education system. This research aimed to evaluate the appropriateness of pragmatism and progressivism that is accepted as a basic philosophy for our education system by examining the elements of the primary school curriculums in the Republic period. In this research first of all, the basics of contemporary culture and educational philosophy were studied. In data analysis part, the primary education curriculums in the period of republic were studied in parts of curriculum design to evaluate the appropriateness of pragmatism and progressivism. And also in this same part the teachers? related opinions about 2005 primary school curriculum were evaluated with an interview form. In this period 60 primary school teachers who were working in the primary schools in Kars city centre, Selim and Sarıkamış were interviewed. To analyze qualitative data, content analysis technique was used. As a result of this search, it was seen that primary education curriculums from republic to today were designed in accordance with pragmatism and progressivism in theory but the application of the curriculums weren?t so appropriate with the basic philosophy.Key Words: Primary Education Curriculum, Pragmatism, Progressivism.