monotechnics
across
the
country
over
what
teachers
describe
as
the discriminatory application of the
tertiary education training fund by the
Federal Government.
TETFUND, which is applied to the
training of polytechnic teachers
abroad, SATURDAY PUNCH gathered,
is only disbursed for science-related
courses.
But the Academic Staff Union of
Polytechnics, while deploring the
manner the funds were disbursed,
vowed to take up the issue with the
government.
National Publicity Secretary of ASUP,
Mr. Clement Chirman, told SATURDAY
PUNCH in an interview in Jos on
Friday that the association was poised
to ensure that the funds were
equitably disbursed and also take up
the issue of the 60-year age limit for
beneficiaries of the TETFUND as
against the present 50 years in view of
the new retirement age of 65.
Chirman said the association was
asking the government to release the
document on the Consolidated Salary
Scheme 15 migration for the lower
cadre of polytechnics and
monotechnics as soon as possible to
enable the authorities of various
institutions to implement the new
scheme.
He said, “We have just held our 72nd
National Executive Council meeting in
Birnin Kebbi, and these were some of
the issues we raised.” He said the
patience of the NEC was running out
over the delay in the constitution of
the renegotiating team and implored
the government to begin the process
to avoid a breakdown of order in all
polytechnics.
Chirman said the association
supported the transformation agenda
of the Federal Government, but would
want it to be pursued in a manner that
would be beneficial to Nigerians.