In the recently authorized new service plan Holders of a Higher National Diploma (HND) with good grades can now be appointed as Academic Staff (Graduate Assistants) in Nigerian Polytechnics under a new service plan that has been authorized, just like their degree-holding counterparts.
The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) Executive Secretary, Prof. Idris Mohammed Bugaje, revealed this information yesterday during the formal presentation of the new Schemes of Service to the Polytechnics stakeholders. For Nigerian Polytechnics, holders of Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) with good grades can now be appointed as Academic Staff (Graduate Assistants), just like their degree counterparts.
This was made known yesterday during the official unveiling of the new service schemes to the stakeholders in polytechnics by Prof. Idris Mohammed Bugaje, Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
According to Bugaje, the new Schemes of Service, which went into effect on June 7, 2024, offer a single strategy for hiring and promoting employees across Federal, State, and even private Nigerian polytechnics.
"All prior versions of the Schemes of Service cease to become legal tender as of June 7, 2024," he declared. We shall now work together to manage the new Service Schemes in the Nigerian Polytechnic System (NPS).
"When I started my job as Executive Secretary in April 2021, I declared my 3-S Agenda, which includes the NBTE Spirit of Work, the Skills Development Agenda, and which must be resurrected and a new Scheme of service that grants respect to the products of the Nigerian Polytechnic System. With appreciation to Allah, the Most High, I am delighted to say that, working with you as a team, we have achieved all three within 3 years.
Since they are artificial and may still be reviewed in the future, it is impossible to say that schemes of service are flawless. However, we are pleased with the updated Plans for the aforementioned innovations: Like their degree-holding colleagues, HND holders with strong grades will now be appointed as Academic Staff (Graduate Assistants) in a system that belongs to them.
"The Instructor Cadre, which stood for historical discrimination against holders of HNDs, has been eliminated. ND holders can now be employed as Assistant Technologists because the Technician cadre has been absorbed by the Technologist cadre.
The upkeep of the Pharmacy Technology Cadre has been done. If an individual holds a Higher National Diploma in Pharmacy Technology, yet the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria prohibits them from working in hospitals, this area in the government service has been kept.
The terminal level for the Registry Cadre, which is currently the Deputy Registrar (CONTEDISS 15), is a point of contention brought forth by ASUP because the Registrar's post is tenured on a consolidated pay like other major officers.
"The Registrar Cadre's remuneration is CONTEDISS, not CONPCASS (academic staff), hence this issue is readily resolved. The fact that skipping is no longer permitted worries SSANIP and NASU, among other unions. To streamline this post and the provisions in other public service cadres, there is room for discussion with the HoSF.
"The policy requiring Senior Lecturers and above to possess NSQ Level 3 at a minimum is a solid step toward institutionalizing skills training in the Polytechnics.
Please take note that current professors who wish to advance to a senior level will have three years to obtain the NSQ (or its equivalent) and will, if needed, be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
This clause will prevent academic employees from universities from joining our polytechnics, especially if they lack the necessary training or credentials. All things considered, the new Schemes of Service offer a uniform method for hiring and promoting personnel at Federal, State, and even private Nigerian polytechnics.
In terms of compliance, we'll use it as a tool for accreditation in both new and old institutions. The Head of Service of the Federation, Nigeria's Mother of Skills Development, made these amazing accomplishments possible.
Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan is a pillar of support for the Polytechnic sector and an impartial adjudicator in our affairs. We sincerely appreciate all of her hard work, which has led to this celebration.
We also express our gratitude to the permanent secretary and the two ministers of education for their steadfast assistance. It is widely understood that our worker unions have demonstrated tenacity and solidarity," Bugaje remarked.
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