The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has appealed to the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan to help facilitate the speedy presidential assent to the passed bill by the National Assembly seeking to abolish and prohibit discrimination between University’s first degree holders, (BSC) and Higher National Diploma (HND) holders.
According to a statement issued by the Head of Media of the board, Hajiya Fatima Abubakar and made available to journalits in Kaduna, the NBTE Executive Secretary, Professor Idris M. Bugaje made the appeal when he paid a courtesy call on the Head of Service of the Federation at her office in Abuja.
Bugaje in his speech to the Head of Service said, “As we hopefully await Presidential assent, the Board wishes to thank you for the implementation of the enhanced entry point for HND holders.
“The outstanding challenge however, is achieving uniformed terminal point for both the First Degree/HND holders, which we pray with the passage of the bill by Senate, you will assist in facilitating assent by Mr. President.
“This move will greatly enhance enrollment rate in Polytechnics and develop skilled manpower for the national economy” the NBTE Executive Secretary stated.
Speaking further Bugaje informed the Head of Service of the dearth of relevant manpower in the Polytechnics and sought for government’s assistance in getting waivers for the Polytechnics in the critical areas of need.
“In the same vein, the Board is facing serious lack of requisite manpower for the efficient supervision of the 643 TVET institutions under our regulatory purview”.
On the schemes and conditions of service for Polytechnics and similar tertiary institutions, Bugaje again appealed for approval on the review of the document which was proposed to the Head of Service since 2017.
In her response to the appeal, the Head of Service promised to look into all of the issues raised and do the needful, just as she specifically promised to work with the National Assembly and presidency towards ensuring quick assent to the law ending BSC/HND dichotomy
It would be recalled that the Bill for the abolition of the BSC/ HND dichotomy was sponsored by distinguish Senator Ayo Akinyelure and was passed into law and awaiting assent by President Muhammadu Buhari.
