By MILLICENT IFEANYICHUKWU

Some stakeholders in polytechnic education, on Friday, called for the elimination of the disparity between Bachelor?s Degree and Higher National Diploma (HND).

In interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, the stakeholders said that ending the disparity would foster a more inclusive and equitable tertiary education system.

The Rector of Yabatech, Dr. Ibraheem Abdul, called for the implementation of the Federal Government?s policy on Bachelor?s Degree/HND parity.

?This should be reflected on recruitment, promotions and career progression.

?The Federal Government should upgrade some well-established polytechnics to degree-awarding institutions or convert them to universities of technology, with a strong focus on practical skills,? he said.

The rector also urged upgrade of the polytechnic curriculum in a bid to address the dichotomy.

Abdul said that Post Graduate Diploma (PGD), to some extent, had bridged the gap between Bachelor?s Degree and HND as it afforded polytechnic graduates an opportunity to further education.

?PGD is leading to career progression in some cases, but in many cases, Bachelor?s Degree is still being given preference. Emphasis is mostly placed on Bachelor?s Degree.

?Absence of a Bachelor?s Degree could still hunt a diploma graduate. I think the best decision should be for HND graduates to go for a conversion programme with relevant professional qualifications and certifications to be at par with first degree holders.?

Mr. Ojo Monday, the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Yaba College of Technology Chapter, said that the dichotomy had hindered the growth of polytechnic education in Nigeria.

Monday said that the dichotomy had remained a major threat.

?The way out is conversion of polytechnics to universities as done in the United Kingdom or adopting the model of polytechnic universities with greater emphasis on hand-on skill and vocational training.

?Post Graduate Diploma is not even bridging the Bachelor?s Degree/HND gap,

?In a normal circumstance, PGD is supposed to close the gap but in reality it is not so,? he told NAN.

A HND graduate, who gave her name simply as Silvia, said, ?We need a government policy to drive a change of perception.

?This is because HND holders have faced challenges in the job market, often feeling marginalised.

?It will be in the right direction to be on the same page with degree holders. Our qualification is being undervalued,? she said.

The polytechnic graduate told NAN that eliminating the disparity would not only boost the confidence of HND graduates but would also enable Nigeria to tap more into the vast potential of polytechnic education.

NAN reports that the battle for equality of HND with Bachelor?s Degree, which began long ago, recorded a major leap in 2021 when the Senate and House of Representatives passed a bill prohibiting discrimination between them.

The House of Representatives passed the bill in June while the Senate passed it in November.

The ?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? prohibits discrimination between HND and Bachelor?s Degree, and prescribes equality.

However, the bill has yet to be signed into law.

Thus, holders of HND in the civil service are unable to be promoted beyond level 14 no matter how competent and committed they are. (NAN)

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