Rectors and Provosts of polytechnics and other TVET-awarding institutions will convene today (Tuesday) to discuss a proposal to replace the Higher National Diploma (HND) program with a Bachelor of Technology degree, The press reports.
A letter signed by Lawal Hafiz, Director of Human Resources at the National Board of Technical Education (NBTE), invited all Rectors and Provosts in Nigeria to the meeting. The discussion will also address urging the Federal Government to assent to a bill aimed at eliminating the disparity between Bachelor’s degrees and Higher National Diplomas.
The bill seeks to end the discrimination that polytechnic graduates face compared to their university counterparts in terms of employment and promotion opportunities.
Sponsored by Senator Ayo Akinyelure, the legislation recently passed its third reading in the Senate. Chairman of the Joint Committee, Ibrahim Shekarau (APC, Kano Central), highlighted that the bill’s enactment would alleviate the stagnation faced by HND holders and ensure equitable treatment with university graduates.
The NBTE’s letter states, “I write to invite you to a one-day national dialogue on the future of the Higher National Diploma program in the Nigerian Educational Landscape. The objective is to address the ongoing discrimination against HND certificate holders and explore solutions to this long-standing issue.
“The national dialogue aims to consider the proposal to replace the HND program with a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degree and to renew the call for the President to assent to the bill passed by the National Assembly. This bill, titled ‘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,’ is seen as a potential solution to the problem.”
