An Academic, Dr. Emma Onyeka has expressed disappointment that years after the Senate passed the Dichotomy bill to end discrimination between Higher National Diploma (HND) and Bachelor of Science (BSc) certificates, the bill is yet to be signed into law.
Speaking with our correspondent in Port Harcourt, Dr. Onyeka said any aspect of the bill that is contentious, can be removed to facilitate its signing into law.
Dr. Onyeka, who is a lecturer with the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic in Port Harcourt, said over the years, HND graduates had suffered discrimination and wondered why signing the bill to remove the dichotomy , should be taking so long.
Dr. Onyeka further explained that the development is affecting students’ enrolment into the Polytechnics as they prefer admission into Universities with the erroneous belief that Polytechnic graduates are inferior to their university counterparts.
The Senate had in 2021, passed the Dichotomy bill to ensure equal treatment for HND and BSc holders, remove career barriers for HND graduates and to promote social justice.
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In the meantime, the Government has been called upon to implement the policy aimed at regulating the establishment of schools in Rivers State.
Chairman, National Association of Proprietors of Schools (NAPS), Comrade Sunday Adafi Jaja, who made the call on an interactive program: Matters of the Moment, said there is a set standard for schools to follow, before commencing operation.
Comrade Adafi- Jaja urged the government to collaborate with NAPS, to stop the existence of quack schools in the society through monitoring their standard.
Comrade Adafi-Jaja, also urged the government to improve the nation’s economy and create more opportunities for employment.
