I still can’t fathom the basis of discrimination between Bsc and Hnd, where in this part of my country, education is considered to be the major tool of every successful man and woman, and to be successful, we all set out in the quest of seeking admission into an institution where we could all be called an undergraduate and after few years become a graduate. During this quest, we all were given an option to either choose to attend a polytechnic or a university without stating on the jamb website the difficulties meant to be faced by the ones who chooses to attend a polytechnic. Considering the difficulties encountered during the admission seeking process, we were opportune to be admitted by a polytechnic of our choice also regarded as a higher institution. After being an undergraduate for a reasonable number of years in a polytechnic, sleepless nights, listening to lectures, making and taking notes, we successfully completed the programme only to find ourselves in a mess getting to the labour market.
On a fateful day, I was trying to apply for my leave so I can take my final exams in school when my boss asked me which school I was attending, I responded, she was stunned and she exclaimed “Why did you choose to go to a Poly, with all your intelligence, why must it be a polytechnic” immediately I became weak, but ma, this is my final exams, I responded, if I knew that was what your intentions were, I would have convinced you to get a degree instead of being an Hnd holder she responded. When she said this, I became dumbfounded, I couldn’t defend myself, my thoughts went so deep that I began to feel that even at my work place where I have spent some years, where my ability is well known, they ain't even appreciating the fact that I am becoming an Hnd holder soonest. This simply means if I make a distinction from a polytechnic, I am still less recognized compared to a 3rd class Bsc holder. But why? I puzzled.
I kept asking questions till I was told the discrimination has been in existence for more than four decades now, where In the ministry an Hnd holder cannot go higher than the level of fourteen(14) irrespective of the number of years spent, this reminds me of why my uncle’s wife insisted that I ignore opportunities of being admitted into a polytechnic when she narrated to me the ordeal at her work place where a Bsc holder in psychology is mandated to head an audit department where we have qualified accountants with an Hnd certificate.
In polytechnics, we write exams, we have a students union, we have qualified and intelligent lecturers, we have a syllabus, 2semeters comprises a session, we have faculties, departments and structures. We have head of departments, Dean of faculties, admin blocks, the senates who sits and presides over students results, yes in polytechnics, students are rusticated, we read overnight too during exams, If all these happens too in a university, what then is the basis for discrimination, why are Hnd holders referred to as ordinary certificate holders while Bsc holders are referred to as degree holders. Why do we have to be ignored in the labour market when we both served our father’s land for one year? Why should the discrimination get so much that we wouldn’t walk on the soil as proud graduates but rather as shy graduates. Why? I am bothered.
In the just concluded ready set work 2.0 organized by the Lagos state government, my course mates complained bitterly of how they were being sidelined and humiliated because they are prospective Hnd holders, why should we be called final year students just like they call them in the university, I was meant to understand that the program was for final year students and students from polytechnics were also invited, not to be humiliated but to participate, then why is the discrimination so unbearable.
Let’s all remember that our inability to make ourselves understand certain principles can definitely drive us to doom. So I ask again, if everything that seem to be in place in a university is In place in a Polytechnic.
On a fateful day, I was trying to apply for my leave so I can take my final exams in school when my boss asked me which school I was attending, I responded, she was stunned and she exclaimed “Why did you choose to go to a Poly, with all your intelligence, why must it be a polytechnic” immediately I became weak, but ma, this is my final exams, I responded, if I knew that was what your intentions were, I would have convinced you to get a degree instead of being an Hnd holder she responded. When she said this, I became dumbfounded, I couldn’t defend myself, my thoughts went so deep that I began to feel that even at my work place where I have spent some years, where my ability is well known, they ain't even appreciating the fact that I am becoming an Hnd holder soonest. This simply means if I make a distinction from a polytechnic, I am still less recognized compared to a 3rd class Bsc holder. But why? I puzzled.
I kept asking questions till I was told the discrimination has been in existence for more than four decades now, where In the ministry an Hnd holder cannot go higher than the level of fourteen(14) irrespective of the number of years spent, this reminds me of why my uncle’s wife insisted that I ignore opportunities of being admitted into a polytechnic when she narrated to me the ordeal at her work place where a Bsc holder in psychology is mandated to head an audit department where we have qualified accountants with an Hnd certificate.
In polytechnics, we write exams, we have a students union, we have qualified and intelligent lecturers, we have a syllabus, 2semeters comprises a session, we have faculties, departments and structures. We have head of departments, Dean of faculties, admin blocks, the senates who sits and presides over students results, yes in polytechnics, students are rusticated, we read overnight too during exams, If all these happens too in a university, what then is the basis for discrimination, why are Hnd holders referred to as ordinary certificate holders while Bsc holders are referred to as degree holders. Why do we have to be ignored in the labour market when we both served our father’s land for one year? Why should the discrimination get so much that we wouldn’t walk on the soil as proud graduates but rather as shy graduates. Why? I am bothered.
In the just concluded ready set work 2.0 organized by the Lagos state government, my course mates complained bitterly of how they were being sidelined and humiliated because they are prospective Hnd holders, why should we be called final year students just like they call them in the university, I was meant to understand that the program was for final year students and students from polytechnics were also invited, not to be humiliated but to participate, then why is the discrimination so unbearable.
Let’s all remember that our inability to make ourselves understand certain principles can definitely drive us to doom. So I ask again, if everything that seem to be in place in a university is In place in a Polytechnic.
WHAT ARE THE REASONS BEHIND THIS ULTIMATE BSC-HND DISCRIMINATION?
By Itanlaye Idris
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