Universally, polytechnic education is meant to provide technical learning that could assist a society in meeting its industrial aspirations. One distinctive mark of polytechnic education is the strong emphasis on practice-based learning. Work attachment is included as part of the practical curriculum and this can vary from the usual 6 – 8 weeks to 6 months in certain courses. This enables students to have on-the-job experience.

The education provided is directly applicable to the students’ future careers. Polytechnics give emphasis to the attainment of crucial skills such as that of communication and presentation as well as problem-solving. The objective is to develop students’ self-belief and critical faculties which are essential for effectual involvement in societal growth and development. Therefore, it is naturally expected that a Polytechnic graduate would have limited difficulty in securing a job.

In Nigeria, it is, however, no longer news that the fortune of polytechnic education has seriously nose-dived. Ironically, the first polytechnic in the country, Yaba College of Technology, which was established in 1947, happens to be the first higher institution of learning in the country.

However, despite the envisioned role which Polytechnics are meant to play in the technological advancement of the country, polytechnic graduates have continued to suffer from the dichotomy created by employers of labour in the country. This dichotomy is reflected in disparity in salary Grade Level and opportunity for career progression. For instance, while university graduates could rise to the top of the ladder in some organizations, same does not really apply to polytechnic graduates. It is so frustrating in some places that that some polytechnic graduates have to go for part –time degree programmes of between three and four years as it the case may be just to guarantee career progression.

This variance in employment opportunity is quite evident in some government agencies. The various security institutions, for instance, are guided by this entrenched discrepancy in terms of employment as a university graduate is commissioned into service while HND holders are not. Presently, HND holders who are seeking employment are frustrated because of the tough odds they face in the labour market. According to them, most recruiting firms and organisations prefer university graduates to HND holders.

The tragedy of the foregoing is that polytechnics are gradually losing their allure. Currently, most of those who find themselves in polytechnics are there due to their inability to gain admission into their dream universities. Parents, who have been victims of the inequality in employment related matters involving HND holders, often go extra mile not to allow their children attend polytechnics. With this rather thorny state of affairs, it is difficult to see how polytechnic education could really fulfil its goal of turning out competent and resourceful technical personnel that would aid the country’s technological and industrial aspirations.

In view of the furore that the inequality between degree and HND holders has generated, the Federal Government has, over the years, attempted unsuccessfully to resolve the issue. Like every other burning issue in the country, the dilemma of polytechnic education is traceable to weak execution of policies. It will be recalled that the Federal Government once released a circular that was meant to nail the coffin on the disparity between university graduates and HND holders in government establishments. However, it remains to be seen to what extent the circular has been implemented.

Some analysts have tied the problem of polytechnic education to the slump in the country’s economy. According to them, decline in the activities of the manufacturing sector is partly responsible for the current plight of HND holders in the country. The manufacturing sector prefers to employ HND holders because of the belief that they are practical oriented people who could add value in terms of production related matters. Regrettably, the downturn in the economy has led to the shutting down of many industries thereby leaving holders of HND to compete for the few available public sector jobs with university graduates.

It is, thus, crucial for all tiers of governments to provide the needed incentives to resuscitate the moribund industries in the country in order to provide more job opportunities for HND holders and, indeed, all job seekers. Undoubtedly, a functional economy would bring about buoyant and vibrant industries which would naturally translate into more jobs across board for all.

Also, the National Assembly needs to critically look into the issue with a view to bringing about a lasting and acceptable legislation that could endure the test of time. Equally, corporate organisations, companies, agencies, the civil service and other such organisations that favour degree holders over their diploma counterparts should change this policy. Also, employment opportunities should be based on the competence and resourcefulness of individuals.

As it has been stated previously, polytechnic education is vital for every society that aspires for industrial growth. Allowing a further disintegration in polytechnic education would, consequently, do a great disservice to the country. This is the time for all stakeholders to come together in order to reverse the dwindling fortune of polytechnic education in the country.

the govt know what to do but won't do anytin. the polytechnic system of employment shld change by employing hnd graduate to start as lecture 3 instead of technologist