We, the (NAPS) National Association of Polytechnic Students and (CCHH) Coalition of Concerned HND Holders brings to the notice of all Nigerians the contributions made by the Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates over the years to the growth of Science and Technology, and for many years how we have been grossly marginalised and side-lined by the Federal Government, especially the various ministers of education, who have failed to act on our behalf to address our complaints, as we see the Minister of Interior in July 2017, removing the dichotomy in all paramilitary services, which his power covers, (HND and BSc. Regularizes already you can find out) why the double standard in the same country.
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) had at various times voiced out and protested about the treatment of HND graduates in all sectors of the Nigerian labour market, yet nothing has been done. Polytechnic education is now being regarded as vocational studies, as witnessed by several professional bodies that have refused to recognise HND, yet accredit the same courses of study at the Polytechnics.
The HND/BSC dichotomy still survive this long due to poor or no implementation of policy statement. Struggle against HND/BSC dichotomy has always record tremendous victory in its agitation, but are faced with execution challenges from conscienceless power in authority.Several pronouncements of the abolishment of the dichotomy but the development are massively stampeded by cabals who derive joy in the unwarranted superiority contest of the duo certificate.
Its imperative we remind the Head of Service (HoS) and the National Council on Establishment (NCE) that there is public knowledge of various resolutions being reached at their various meetings in time past, including the last one in 2016 which has never been captured in the communiqué not to talk of implementing such, the few that ever saw the light of the day, such as abolishing the HND/BSc dichotomy at the 39th session of the council dated 18th to 22nd July 2016 cannot be implemented since the HoS has not seen the need to forward same to the Federal Executive Council for ratification and full implementation by all government agencies.
NAPS as a body knows that it is not all resolution reached at the 39th council meeting that was printed as a paper or communiqué that is ever available in circulation.
Such as
1.) Approval of the removal of the dichotomy in the public sector as it affects the bridging programme-Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) to enable them progress to grade level 17.
2.) The review of the scheme to enable HND Certificate holders to reach the maximum grade in the civil service upon completion of the bridging programme.
We will appreciate the immediate release of the circular as it affects the entry levels into the Federal Civil Service and appeal that the FEC also ratifies all resolutions made at the last NCE council.
These resolutions when implemented fully will be the beginning of the journey to full consideration of what scientific and technical education really stand for, it will affect the morale of millions of Nigerian workers who for years have been side lined due to their academic qualification. These are workers that have been demoralised and stagnated, even though they excel in their various fields.
This discrimination is most prevalent in the construction industry, especially in the field of architecture where the government regulatory body ARCON has refused to accredit or acknowledge the qualifications of the HND graduates. These graduates are subjected to humiliating 6 year duration of qualifying Professional Practice Examinations (PPE Finals 1, 2 and 3) by the Nigeria Institute of Architects (NIA), while the current executives of ARCON have refused to register candidates that have passed all qualifying exams. ARCON has continually disregarded and refused to recognise the PGD in Architecture run by accredited universities in Nigeria, even with the NCE approving PGD as a bridging programme. Those who have done the bridging programme are still denied the chance to write the PPE Finals 3, while the civil service regulation only recognises BSc as the foundation for Architects in Nigeria.
As NCE council meeting is on going in Owerri, in her 40th assembly, it is noteworthy to emphasis on the need to capture properly in their communiqué the removal of HND BSc dichotomy through the bridge program (PGD) as reached in the 39th meeting in Minna. Also hopping to see what the engineers has achieved for her members in terms of placement and remuneration which we are not even sure it will not go in the way of the previous resolutions.
NAPS leadership hereby strongly implore President Mohamadu Buhari not to leave our future in the hand of NCE, Head of Service of the Federation, Ministers, head of Parastaters and the rest of them, thereby he should step into this matter and put things straight as the Executive President, we can't afford to graduate only to join the injustice melted upon HND graduates in the labour market name of dichotomy.
We hereby appeal and urge the HoS to put an end to this by rewriting the history books and enabling change in the direction of progressive development, which will truly begin by emancipating HND graduates and harnessing their full potentials for National Development.
The removal of this dichotomy, among other perceived institutionalised and discriminatory policies has been at the top of a list of demands by ASUP and has been the motivation for several industrial crises in both the public and private sectors. The bill seeking to stop this age long dichotomy has passed the second reading in the House of Representatives and we will urge that this bill be passed into law expediently.
We are calling for the autonomy of Polytechnics education in Nigeria, theories without practical is nothing but manipulations, Science and Technology flows together so President Buhari should ensure BSc and HND goes together and are treated the same.
NCE council should look into all past and present resolutions and forward same to the federal executive council for necessary action.
All minister of the federal republic of Nigeria should look into the issue of HND/BSc dichotomy in each of their ministries along with parastaters under them.
That NBTE should arise and resume her constitutional role over the products of her institution so accredited just like her counterpart body NUC.
We are optimistic on the struggle for the abolishment of HND/BSC dichotomy, as we urge that the President and Commander in Chief of the armed forces, the Federal Executive Council, National Assembly and the National Council on Establishment to be our heroes, to be the champions of millions of Nigerian Youths who have been disenfranchised by this separatist policy and icons that will be remembered for changing Nigerian lives for good.
The struggle continues for the liberation of the polytechnic system from discrimination. #SAYNOTOHND/BSCDICHOTOMY #POLYTECHNICMUSTAWARDB.Tech.
Comrade Olugbode H Damola
National Vice President
National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS)
Comrade Olawole S Kolawole
Rep. Coalition of Concerned HND Holders
