In a bid to advocate for the eradication of the HND/Bsc dichotomy, the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has announced plans for a rally named the “Save Polytechnic Education Rally.” Scheduled for April 9, 2024, the rally will commence from Olaiya Roundabout to the State Secretariat in Osogbo, beginning at 8:00 am.
The objective of the rally is to urge the Executive Governor of Osun State to champion the cause of polytechnic students and graduates by appealing to President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to assent to the Bill for an Act aimed at abolishing and prohibiting the discrimination between First Degree and Higher National Diploma (HND). The aim is to put an end to the dichotomy before May 29th, 2024.
The notification of the rally was conveyed through a letter addressed to all Student Union Government (SUG) Presidents, signed by the NAPS Senate President, Adeniji Boluwatife Temitope, along with co-signatories including the Chairman of NAPS Task Force on HND/Bsc and the former NAPS President, Olalere Benedict Adetunji.
The letter emphasized the efforts exerted by stakeholders in Polytechnic Education to push for the passage of the Bill by the 9th National Assembly. While acknowledging the successful passage of the bill, it highlighted the crucial need for the President’s assent to transform it into law.
“President Tinubu should stop HND/Bsc dichotomy now and make it one of his achievement and legacy as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the letter underscored.
Expressing concern over the delay in addressing the issue, the letter urged President Tinubu to prioritize the matter, given his track record of assenting to various bills.
With anticipation building, the rally aims to draw attention to the pressing need for equality in educational qualifications, echoing the sentiments of polytechnic students and graduates nationwide.