“Scrap HND Programmes”- Adedoyin

The proprietor, The Polytechnic, Ile-Ife, and Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu, Osun State, Dr. Ramon Adedoyin, has called on the government to scrap the Higher National Diploma (HND) and replace with Bachelor’s degree in technology, just like advanced nations.

This he said in reaction to the Federal Governments’ decision to remove the segregation between the holders of HND and B.Sc.

He explained that although the removal of the disparity is a welcome idea, the federal government ought to convert all existing polytechnics to degree-awarding institutions and direct all polytechnics to affiliate with existing universities.

Adedoyin noted that such universities should admit graduates of polytechnics into the 300 level for B.Tech, B.A or B.Sc programmes.

He said, “The present HND programme is archaic and outdated which is why developed countries like the United States and Britain, which Nigerian educational system is modelled after, have jettisoned the programme a long time ago in favour of Bachelor’s degree in Technology.

“I advise the government to retain the national diploma programmes as professional certificates which could be used as direct entry admission requirement into university degree programmes.”

He noted that because of the refusal of the government to upgrade polytechnics to degree-awarding institutions, Nigerian polytechnics had not been able to play their true roles as the pivot for technological development.