The Senate on Thursday amended the Federal Polytechnic Act to empower federal polytechnics to award Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech. Hons.) degrees in science, engineering and technology-related programmes.
The modification adopted the Senate’s determination to rescind its earlier place on the Act, which restricted the {qualifications} federal polytechnics may award to the National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND).
The new provision permits federal polytechnics to award bachelor’s degrees to holders of the ND, HND or Postgraduate Diploma, topic to accreditation by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and different related regulatory our bodies.
The determination adopted a movement moved by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), throughout Thursday’s plenary.
Mr Bamidele stated sure provisions of sections 2, 8 and 31 of the Act required additional legislative scrutiny and modification to present administrative readability and set up a complete authorized framework.
He urged the Senate to recommit the Act to the Committee of the Whole for additional consideration and modification.
Provisions of the modification
The modification introduces a brand new subsection, Section 2(1)(c), empowering federal polytechnics to award Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech. Hons.) degrees in science, engineering and know-how programmes to holders of the ND, HND or Postgraduate Diploma.
“Award the Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech. Hons.) degree in Science, Engineering and Technology programmes to holders of the National Diploma (ND), Higher National Diploma (HND) or Postgraduate Diploma, subject to accreditation by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and relevant regulatory bodies,” the part states.
The provision makes the award of the degrees topic to accreditation by the NUC and different related regulatory our bodies.
The modification additionally revises Section 8, which gives for the appointment and tenure of rectors in federal polytechnics.
Under the proposed provision, the polytechnic’s governing council shall appoint a rector for an preliminary time period of 5 years, with eligibility for a second and ultimate time period of 4 years.
In addition, the modification revises Section 31 to redefine a minister as an officer chargeable for schooling.
Debate
When the modification was recommitted to the Committee of the Whole for consideration, no senator opposed the proposed adjustments.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, then put the amended provisions to a voice vote, and most senators voted in favour.
The BSC/HND Dichotomy
The disparity between holders of Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degrees from universities and Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) from polytechnics has been controversial in Nigeria’s schooling system, significantly in employment, remuneration and profession development.
Although each {qualifications} are obtained from tertiary establishments, HND holders have traditionally confronted restrictions in some private and non-private sector institutions, together with variations in recruitment grades, promotion prospects and eligibility for sure positions. The disparity has persevered regardless of successive authorities insurance policies geared toward addressing it.
In the federal civil service, a March 2018 round from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation allowed HND holders to enter the service at Salary Grade Level 08. However, serving officers with HND {qualifications} should meet extra situations underneath relevant schemes of service and public service guidelines to progress past Grade Level 14 or convert to the officer cadre.
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The distinction has additionally generated considerations about equity and equal alternatives for graduates with completely different {qualifications}. In 2023, the House of Representatives raised considerations about alleged disparities within the promotion of HND and diploma holders within the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, urging related authorities to adjust to present directives on the problem.
Successive administrations and the National Assembly have made efforts to deal with the issue by means of coverage adjustments and legislative proposals. However, the continued debate over recruitment, promotion, and profession development means that coverage pronouncements alone might not have absolutely resolved considerations in regards to the therapy of HND holders.
Whether the modification will considerably cut back discrimination towards polytechnic graduates will rely partly on how the brand new degrees are recognised by employers and whether or not public service recruitment guidelines and schemes of service are reviewed to guarantee honest therapy.
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