The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has suspended the implementation of the Draft 2024 Schemes of Service for Polytechnics until all grey areas are amended.
The Executive Secretary of the Board, Professor Idris Bugaje announced this at a news briefing in Kaduna.
Professor Bugaje explained that some areas require amendments, such as the dichotomy against HND holders in other cadres and the omission of certain cadres.
“Allowing at least one promotion skip for all cadres, as is the practice in other tertiary institutions in Nigeria, and not extending the waiting period for promotions beyond 3 years.”
Professor Idris Bugaje
According to him, the observations from the Committee of Rectors of Federal Polytechnics, Polytechnic staff unions, and the National Association of Polytechnic students have been forwarded to the Head of Service.
Tte Executive Secretary pointed out that, a clause, which the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics ASUP, a union dominated by state polytechnics because of their larger numbers raised, was the introduction of the Nigerian Skills Qualification NSQ certificate for the promotion of lecturers.
He maintained that, NSQ was not an informal qualification as misjudged by ASUP and It was already approved and recognized in the National Schemes of Service.
Professor Idris Bugaje also stated that, NBTE has noted the appeal made by the Federal Polytechnics Academic Staff Union FEPASU, stressing that, the Schemes of Service was strictly for the Federal Polytechnics that they represent.
“Federal Polytechnics have ownership and governance peculiarities making them different from the State Polytechnics”
Professor Idris M. Bugaje also clarified that, NBTE cannot impose the new Scheme of Service after its final validation on any state polytechnic.
“As such, ASUP should be reduced to where they belong, the state polytechnics, and the new Scheme is not for them. All our accreditations in state polytechnics shall henceforth be strictly on academic programs only to ensure standards are maintained”
“Let me express our appreciation to NAPS, SSANIP, NASU and FEPASU for handling this matter maturely and sending constructive criticisms which shall surely be looked into and resolved before the new Schemes become fully operational”
“The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) wishes to bring to the attention of the public that the recently approved Schemes of Service for the Polytechnic sector has been circulated and proposals for amendments of grey areas passed to the Mother of Skills in Nigeria, the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Mrs. Folasade Yemi-Esan, CFR”
“The 2024 Schemes is a revolutionary document with its recognition of HND holders for the first time, as Graduate Assistants like their University counterparts in our Polytechnics”
The Executive Secretary added that, every Polytechnic student from this year has to do a Mandatory Skills Qualification (MSQ), before graduation.
“This is a major paradigm shift in polytechnic education in Nigeria so that we produce diploma holders with skills. ‘You cannot give what You Don’t Have’ and that’s why the NSQ was Introduced for the promotion of lecturers who should drive the MSQ. This requirement will additionally make Polytechnic lecturers unique, having both academics and hands-on skills”
COV/AMINU DALHATU
