Reps pass bill abolishing HND-BSc dichotomy

The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a bill abolishing the dichotomy between the Higher National Diploma and Bachelor of Science holders.

The legislation sponsored by Ali Isa and Edward Pwajok from Gombe and Plateau states respectively was passed for second reading in  April 2017.

It seeks to end perceived discrimination against polytechnic graduates (HND holders) and remove the challenges they face, especially those in the public service.

Pwajok in his lead debate said the “discrimination” against the polytechnic graduates “had no moral justification”.

The lawmaker said there was segregation when it comes to employment issues because “those having first degrees (university graduates)  are placed on Grade level 8, while those having  HND are placed on grade level 6 or 7”.

According to him,  the discrimination reflects in salaries as some organisations pay degree holders N100,000 at entry level, with  HND holders are paid  N70,000.

The  Federal Government had abolished the dichotomy between the two classes of degree holders in the services under the Ministry of Interior.

The agencies affected were the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Prisons Service and Federal Fire Service.