KADUNA — To end the age-long discrimination between Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) and Higher National Diploma (HND) holders in the Nigeria labour market, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) says it is in talks with the federal government on the need for polytechnics to transit from HND-awarding to degree-awarding institutions.
The national president of the ASUP, Anderson Ezeibe, disclosed this in Kaduna on Thursday.
Speaking at the award presentation and farewell ceremony organised by the Makarfi Chapter of the union to mark the transition of Shehu Idris College of Health Sciences and Technology, Makarfi (SICHSTM) into Kaduna State University (KASU), Ezeibe said Nigerian youths are no longer interested in getting an HND because of the perceived superiority of a B.Sc.
“ASUP is currently on advocacy on the award of bachelors of technology by Nigerian polytechnics system,” the president said. “HND is no longer as attractive as it used to be to Nigerian youths because of the age-long dichotomy.
“Policymakers have made it a rule that once an individual has an HND, he cannot attain the peak of his/her career, then why are they continuing to force it on people, why don’t they phase it out and replace it with a bachelor of technology?”
He continued, “We are on serious advocacy regarding this and we have recently submitted a position paper to the federal government on the need to transit from the award of HND to bachelor, master and doctorate degrees in technology with the Nigeria polytechnic system.
“The bill to stop the dichotomy has passed through all the stages of legislation but not assented by the President and the period has passed, which means there is no political will.
“So, if they are not ready to improve HND, they should phase it out and replace it with a degree in technology so as for us to continue to dwell in our area of competence, which is technical education.”
What you should know: The Senate on Wednesday, 2 June 2021 passed a bill to end the discrimination between HND and B.Sc holders from Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The bill titled: “A bill for an act to abolish and prohibit dichotomy and discrimination between first degree and Higher National Diploma in the same profession/field for the purpose of employment; and for related matters”, was sponsored by Ayo Akinyelure (PDP, Ondo Central). It proposed to resolve the controversy over wage disparity and gross discrimination against HND holders in the public and private sectors of the economy.
The bill stipulates that “Notwithstanding any provision in any legislation, circular, regulation or policy guideline, First Degree and Higher National Diploma shall be deemed construed and treated as equivalent qualification for the purpose of employment and career progression at workplace in the public and private sectors of the Nigerian economy.”
“Holders of the First Degree and the Higher National Diploma (HND) shall be given equal treatment and opportunity in career placements, career progression, admission to further studies and privileges whatsoever in consideration of status as graduates of Nigerian tertiary institutions of higher learning.”
“All forms of discrimination and or dichotomy between First Degree and Higher National Diplomas for the purpose of employment, transfer of service, conversion of cadre, career progression, promotion, and other related issues in the public and private sectors of the Nigerian economy is hereby abolished.”
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