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EDITORIAL& OPINION
The scrapping of HND: A bad policy
THE Federal Government’s decision to scrap the Higher National Diploma (HND) qualification awarded in its polytechnics makes no sense whatsoever.
A certain Professor Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Presidential Technical Committee on the Consolidation of Tertiary Institutions was quoted to have said, somewhat with an air of finality, that from the day the report (of the committee) is finally approved and the necessary changes in the law made, “in the next few months, there will be no HND as a programme anywhere. It will be abolished and replaced by B.Sc., B.Eng. and B.Tech. as the case may be”.
The professor hinges his committee’s position on the refusal of employers of labour and universities to rate the HND as equal to a university degree. In his considered opinion, therefore, the consolidation of these institutions and the conversion of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) and Kaduna Polytechnic into universities will solve the problem permanently. We say unequivocally that this is a bad policy based on a flawed, even trivial justification.
First, the reason advanced by the learned professor. No one should deny that the HND is not the same as a degree: whereas both are tertiary level qualifications, the admission criteria differ and the course contents differ, and the specific purpose for which, say, a manufacturer hires an HND holder is not that for which he would hire a university trained engineer. Obviously then, employers of labour, as well as the universities have the right and duty to maintain the distinction, but without falling into the pit of undeserved discrimination. At any rate it is because there is a fundamental difference that the one is called a polytechnic and the other a university. And, while the one can be upgraded to the other, the reverse is never done. But why scrap a major national education policy merely because some interests react to it in their own peculiar way?
Polytechnic education was introduced as a component of our philosophy of manpower development, and for good reason. Not a decision frivolously taken by the founding fathers of the relevant institutions this type of tertiary level education was established by law, conceived, designed, and carried on to meet specific educational ends of the students on the one hand, and the manpower needs of our country on the other. The complement of goals has served Nigeria’s human and national purposes. Indeed, there has never been any doubt about Nigeria’s desperate need for technical expertise; the polytechnics exist to produce trained personnel with hands-on technical skills for the real sector of the economy.
As a general rule, the real sector of the economy is the engine of national economies; in a well-managed economic system, therefore, technical hands that make the industries run, that translate the ideas on the drawing boards into equipment and goods, are most sought after, they are never in need of employment if they so choose. The National Policy on Education (2004) states that the polytechnics shall provide the technical knowledge and skills necessary for agricultural, industrial, commercial, and economic development of Nigeria. But, by their training, technical hands are equipped to self-employ and even create jobs.
The polytechnics are further mandated to give training and impart the necessary skills for the production of technicians, technologists and other skilled personnel who shall be enterprising and self-reliant. Over the years our HND graduates have generally not been found wanting in terms of competence. Besides, very many successful and highly placed persons in government and business are HND holders. There is ample evidence that when it comes to getting the job done, the hood does not make the monk; the certificates don’t either.
That the technical cadre of our country’s manpower is falling into disrepute is a glaring pointer to the abysmal failure of government at two levels: manpower planning and economic management. The factories are closing or relocating at an alarming rate, the ones still in business operate at a fraction of installed capacity, many warehouses have been converted into houses of worship. There is, as a result, a shortage of factories to train polytechnic graduates in the practical aspect of their education.
Over time, there is a growing dearth of properly trained and sufficiently experienced technical personnel to repair equipment, erect buildings and other structures without flaws, and generally service the national economy with their knowledge and skills. There are many products that Nigeria imports but which can be produced here by our technicians if only government would create the enabling environment.
Furthermore, the government is charged by the National Policy on Education to improve immediate and long-term prospects of polytechnic graduates and other professionals with respect to their status and remuneration. Surely this can be done without the cancellation of HND programmes that is being contemplated. The only consolation is that the Federal Government is restricting itself to Federal universities; state governments should refuse to follow the Federal Government’s example in this matter. State Policy on Education should not be based on the imitation of ill-digested models, either local or foreign. It is totally simplistic to argue that Nigeria should convert its polytechnics into universities because another country is doing so.
It needs be stated that the university imparts a particular kind of education, it teaches why things work; the polytechnic teaches how things work. A nation needs both to drive its development process.

I just hope FG will read this and understand.

This is absolutely nonsense, why will they scrap a qualification that is gaining it confidence in the society.
It could have be justifieable if they will let the former Policy stand (which equal the B sc and HND)
Therefore, there should be no polytechnics, if the poly still have to continue what will be provision OND holder or students that are still in ND1 and NDII?.

Leave FG alone to do what they feel is best for them; after all they will never loss, they always stand to gain. we are at the recieving end.

We can leave them alone when we are the one suffering from it, their children we always go abroad to study. don't u remember that??

Funny enough the same gov that is struggling to scrap the hard earned HND have their Dump head children schooling over seas. We thank God at the End of everything he has the finall say. May God continue to help all HND holders to excel and prove their worth.
Weather the programme is scrap or not, Guys go out there and prove yourselves.
Jeffery

:-x

i have been into both system! permit me to say, there is no comparison o!!! a lot of differences, not even a place like OAU!