Meet Musa, a young Nigerian with a passion for technology. Musa excelled in his secondary education, and like many of his peers, he dreamt of attending a university to earn a bachelor’s degree in computer science. However, due to financial constraints and limited access to university slots, Musa found himself enrolling in a polytechnic instead, where he pursued a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Information Technology.
Upon graduation, Musa entered the job market with high hopes, but he quickly realised that the stark difference in compensation between HND holders and their counterparts with bachelor’s degrees posed a significant challenge. Frustration grew among polytechnic graduates like Musa, who believed that their skills and qualifications deserved better recognition and remuneration.
In light of this dichotomy and discrimination that Musa and his colleagues experience, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) has accused the Federal Government (FG) of de-marketing polytechnic education in Nigeria and robbing the nation of embedded development value. Among unfavourable FG policies killing technological education in Nigeria are the HND/BSc dichotomy, the inability to enhance academic continuity for HND graduates, disparity between HND/BSc holders in government circles among others.
In Nigeria, the divide between holders of HNDs and Bachelor’s degrees remains a contentious issue, especially when it comes to compensation in the job market. To address this discrepancy, there has been a growing call to upgrade polytechnic graduates to the status of Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) holders. In this editorial, we will explore the value of polytechnic education by examining case studies from countries where polytechnic qualifications are highly respected, both globally and within Africa.
Additionally, we will discuss the significance of polytechnic education in a market economy and suggest steps that state and federal governments can take to improve polytechnic education and reduce discrimination between HND and Bachelor’s degree holders.
Read also: Nurturing Nigeria’s future: The power of TVET
The Global Perspective
In many developed countries, polytechnic education enjoys high regard and holds a valuable place in the education system. Germany, for instance, is renowned for its dual education system, which combines classroom learning with practical apprenticeships.
Graduates of German polytechnics, known as “Fachhochschulen,” are highly sought after in the job market. They bring a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and practical skills, making them valuable assets to employers.
In Finland, the polytechnic education system, also known as “Ammattikorkeakoulu,” is considered equal to traditional university education. Graduates from these institutions are well-prepared for the workforce, and their qualifications are widely recognised.
Malaysia has a dual-track education system, with polytechnics offering vocational education and training, and universities offering academic degrees. Polytechnic graduates are in high demand from employers, and they earn salaries that are comparable to those of university graduates.
African Examples
Closer to home in Africa, countries like Kenya and South Africa have recognised the importance of polytechnic education in their job markets. In Kenya, polytechnic graduates have opportunities to acquire technical skills, making them competitive in various industries. South Africa’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges provide a diverse range of vocational and technical qualifications, positioning graduates for success in the job market.
The Significance of Polytechnic Education in a Market Economy
Polytechnic education plays a crucial role in a market economy, offering several advantages.
Practical Skills: Polytechnic institutions equip students with hands-on skills, making them immediately employable in industries where technical expertise is highly valued.
Industry-Relevance: The curriculum in polytechnics is often tailored to meet the specific needs of industries, ensuring that graduates possess skills that are in demand.
Economic Development: A workforce with diverse skill sets, including technical skills from polytechnic education, contributes to economic growth and innovation.
Accessible Education: Polytechnic institutions often offer more affordable and accessible education options, democratising higher education and reducing the skills gap.
Suggestions for Improvement
To bridge the gap between HND and Bachelor’s degree holders in Nigeria and improve the value of polytechnic education, the following steps can be taken by state and federal governments.
Standardisation: Align curriculum and quality standards between polytechnics and universities to ensure parity in education.
Research Opportunities: Encourage polytechnics to engage in research and development activities, fostering innovation and technological advancement.
Industry Collaboration: Establish strong partnerships between polytechnics and industries to create internship and apprenticeship opportunities for students.
Recognition: Grant polytechnic graduates a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) or its equivalent, acknowledging their educational achievements.
Awarding B.Tech degrees to polytechnic graduates: This would give polytechnic graduates the same academic recognition as university graduates, and it would make them more competitive in the job market.
Increase funding for polytechnics: This would allow polytechnics to improve their facilities and equipment, and to attract and retain qualified instructors.
Partner with businesses and industries: This would help to ensure that polytechnic graduates are trained with the skills and knowledge that are needed by employers.
Educate the public about the value of polytechnic education: This would help to reduce the stigma associated with polytechnic education, and it would encourage more students to enrol in polytechnic programmes.
The value of polytechnic education cannot be understated, especially in a market economy like Nigeria’s. By drawing inspiration from global and African examples and taking concrete steps to enhance polytechnic education, state and federal governments can help narrow the compensation gap between HND and Bachelor’s degree holders. This will not only benefit the graduates but also contribute significantly to the nation’s economic development and competitiveness on the global stage.
