Stakeholders renew call to end HND-Degree disparity

On Friday, some polytechnic education stakeholders demanded that the difference between a bachelor's degree and a higher national diploma be eliminated.

The parties stated that resolving the discrepancy would promote a more inclusive and equitable educational system in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.

Dr. Ibraheem Abdul, the rector of Yabatech, demanded that the Federal Government's policy on bachelor's degree/HND parity be put into effect.

Career advancement, promotions, and hiring practices should all take this into account. With a strong emphasis on practical skills, the Federal Government should transform some long-standing polytechnics into universities of technology or elevate them to degree-granting establishments, he stated.

In an effort to resolve the contradiction, the rector also called for an update to the polytechnic curriculum.

Abdul claimed that because postgraduate diplomas gave polytechnic graduates the chance to continue their study, they had partially closed the gap between bachelor's degrees and HNDs.

In some situations, a PGD can lead to job advancement, but in many others, a bachelor's degree is still preferred. Most people emphasize bachelor's degrees.

"A diploma graduate could still be pursued without a bachelor's degree. To be on par with those who have a first degree, I believe that the best course of action for HND grads would be to enroll in a conversion program with pertinent professional credentials and certificates," he stated.

The dichotomy, according to Mr. Ojo Monday, Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Yaba College of Technology Chapter, has impeded the expansion of polytechnic education in Nigeria.

According to Monday, 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.

"We need a government program to foster a change of perception," stated an HND graduate who went by Silvia.

This is due to the fact that HND holders have had difficulties in the labor market and frequently feel excluded.

Being in agreement with degree holders will be a positive step. Our qualifications are not being given enough credit.

The polytechnic graduate told NAN that removing the gap will allow Nigeria to better utilize the enormous potential of polytechnic education while also boosting the confidence of HND graduates.

According to NAN, a bill that forbade discrimination was passed by the Senate and House of Representatives in 2021, marking a significant advancement in the long-running fight for equality between HND and bachelor's degrees.

The bill was approved by the Senate in November after being approved by the House of Representatives in June.

For the purpose of employment and related matters, the "Bill for an Act to Abolish and Prohibit Dichotomy and Discrimination between First Degree and Higher National Diploma in the Same Profession/Field" forbids discrimination between HND and bachelor's degree and mandates equality.

The bill has not been signed into law yet, though.

Therefore, no matter how capable and dedicated they are, civil service HND holders cannot advance past level 14.