Graduates with Higher National Diploma (HND) certificates have urged President Muhammadu Buhari to give his assent to the bill seeking to abolish the dichotomy between Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) and Higher National Diploma (HND) holders in the country.
They noted that the president’s assent would ensure the growth of polytechnic education in Nigeria.The dichotomy between B.Sc and HND holders in the country especially when it comes to employment has been in national discourse for a long time.
The House of Representatives had last Tuesday passed the bill seeking a perpetual end to the dichotomy. The legislation was 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.”
The bill stipulates some punitive measures against any form of discrimination against holders of HND. Addressing journalists in Abuja, yesterday, the Coordinator of the Coalition of HND stakeholders, Sebastian Onyemaobi, recalled that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had in September 2007 directed that the dichotomy and ceiling on salary grade level attainable by HND holders should be removed.
He, however, noted that despite previous laws and policies, discrimination against HND holders persists because there were no sanctions for non-compliance.
According to him, the current piece of legislation would address the problem, which he noted, was one of the key setbacks to technological growth and the nation’s quest for industrialisation.
Onyemaobi argued that the bill would also bring an end to the outdated class-concept and certificate-based approach being practiced in Nigeria, including introducing the globally accepted performance based approach to work place administration.
He said: “The passage of this Bill has rekindled the joy, hope and self-esteem of millions of HND holders who over the years have been enmeshed in abject traumatisation due to unwarranted discrimination, harsh and inhumane treatments at their various work places in both public and private sectors of the Nigerian economy in spite of their vast potentials, hard work and immense contributions to national development.
“The bill passed by the National assembly will indeed provide a succor and a cushion to the dilemma of millions of polytechnic and monotechnic students who have been engulfed in wondrous contemplation on how to approach the bleak, uncertain and insecure future as well as unbearable workplace environment that await them upon graduation from their various polytechnic and monotechnic institutions.
“While we wait with ecstatic expectations, the signing of this epoch-making Bill into law, the coalition wishes to assure our dear President, the National Assembly and all Nigerians that HND holders and indeed the polytechnic system will work hard to live up to their expectations and justify the confidence reposed on them if this Bill is signed into Law.
“Also, we assure you that upon signing of this momentous Bill into Law, HND holders will be greatly propelled to utilise their talents and potentials to the fullest and contribute immensely, more than ever before, to national development.”
THEGUARDIAN
