The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics has given the Federal Government a 15-day ultimatum to suspend a new scheme of service issued by the National Board for Technical Education.
The union has threatened nationwide industrial action if their demands are not met.
ASUP’s National President, Mr. Shammah Kpanja, addressed journalists in Abuja after the union’s National Executive Council meeting.
He explained that some sections of the new scheme undermine the autonomy and standards of polytechnics in the country.
“Our conviction is that the OHCSoF cannot be preparing or approving a document on career development of staff when she is neither an employer nor regulator,” Kpanja said.
The union is particularly concerned about the mandatory inclusion of National Skills Qualifications (NSQ) for academic staff career advancement, which they find irrelevant to polytechnic curricula.
“The contentious document curiously, unjustifiably and unacceptably elongates the career progression steps of the lecturer cadre from a seven-step to a nine-step career development cadre and at the same time added an extra year for promotion to the final two levels,” Kpanja noted. “This implies that anyone on the lecturer cadre will now endure a minimum of 26 tortuous years from the base to the highest level. This is not acceptable.”
ASUP also criticized the creation of additional directorates, citing unsustainable financial implications for institutions. They further highlighted a contradiction involving the NBTE’s Memorandum of Understanding with the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria regarding HND programs in Pharmaceutical Technology.
“The release of documents by the NBTE subtly amending some provisions and seeking approval for amendment of others amounts to an admission of guilt and a halfhearted attempt at lifting the mourning mood in the sector imposed by the release of the contentious scheme of service,” Kpanja said.
ASUP has demanded that the identified provisions be suspended until necessary amendments are made, starting from July 8, 2024. If these demands are not met within the 15-day period, the union’s NEC will decide on further action.
“Zones and chapters of the union are to prepare members for necessary action within the 15 days ultimatum through congresses, peaceful protests, and media campaigns on the issue,” Kpanja stated.
The union’s ultimatum is a call to action for all stakeholders to address these concerns promptly to avoid disruption in the polytechnic sector.
