Skills Acquisition Made Mandatory for Polytechnic Students
The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) has made it obligatory henceforth for students of polytechnic to undergo Mandatory Skills Qualifications (MSQ) before graduation.
NBTE’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Idris Bugaje made the disclosure while clarifying the draft of the 2024 Scheme of Service at a press conference.
In his words, “Every Polytechnic student from this year has to do a Mandatory Skills Qualification (MSQ), before graduation. This is a major paradigm shift in polytechnic education in Nigeria, so that we produce diploma holders with skills.
“You cannot give what you don’t have and that’s why the National Skills Qualifications (NSQ) was introduced for the promotion of lecturers who should drive the MSQ. This requirement will additionally make Polytechnic lecturers unique, having both academics and hands-on skills.”
Prof. Bugaje informed that the recently approved Schemes of Service for the Polytechnic sector has been circulated and proposals for amending its grey areas passed to the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. (Mrs.) Folasade Yemi-Esan.
He also added that, “It also requires Principal/Chief Lecturers to have Doctorate degrees. This requirement cannot be negotiated. This is because while we ask for parity between Universities and Polytechnics, we can’t allow the highest academics in Polytechnics to have a master’s degree only.
“The indolent academics who, in the past, run and hid in polytechnics to avoid doctorate degrees, shall henceforth have no hiding place anymore.”
The ES further described the 2024 schemes as a revolutionary document with its recognition of holders of Higher National Diploma (HND) for the first time, as Graduate Assistants in polytechnics, just like their University counterparts.
Source: Leadership
