Kayode Olanrewaju 
The Academic Staff of Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has condemned the “Scheme of Service for Polytechnics in Nigeria” it received from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), stating that the document failed to resolve problems in the system. The union in a statement made available to New Telegraph by its National President, Shammah Kpanja, tagged:
“Formal Presentation of the New Scheme of Service for Polytechnics in Nigeria and the Mourning Mood Across the Nigeria Polytechnic System,” noted that the document was regrettably turned to a media show despite condemnable insertions which completely undermines the tertiary education status of Nigeria’s polytechnics.
Besides, ASUP expressed regrets that the document also promotes the age-long dichotomy and discrimination against holders of Higher National Diploma (HND) in many respects, and fundamentally distorts established career structures and progression guides in the sector in several negative dimensions.
The statement, however, described the collection of the document by the union, as indeed a period of mourning for Nigeria’s Polytechnic System. It further pointed out that after a tortuous seven years’ review journey following agitations by ASUP, the polytechnics were still left with a burden of contradictions that amplifies the identity crises rocking the sector over the years.
“We are, however, not too surprised at some of the objectionable insertions credited to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), whose disdain for Nigeria’s polytechnics and its products ranks high in its achievements over the years.
“We had queried the questionable professional and legal status of the office of the HoCSF in this whole process and are therefore not surprised by the clear display of poor knowledge of the core demands of a functional tertiary education structure with the desired condiments for the promotion of technical and technological education in the country,” ASUP added.
