Polytechnic Lecturers Threaten Strike Over New Service Scheme (graphic picture)
2 min read
By YEMI KOSOKO
The leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics in Zone B has cautioned on the implementation of the new scheme of service by the head of service of the federation, through the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) which it describes as unacceptable to its members.
In a press briefing by the Zonal Coordinator Zone B, Simji Lumpye, held at the Plateau State Polytechnic, Jos, yesterday, July 19, the union observed that the responsibility for drafting the scheme of service and its approval, should not be the sole responsibility of the head of the service, but should include other stakeholders, especially academic staff union of polytechnics.
Other issues raised by the union include the rejection in totality of the dichotomy in a graduate assistant entry point into the polytechnic as a lecturer, as well as preference given to bachelor’s degree over Higher National Diploma (ND) certificate for appointment of registrars and bursars, which is described as bias and discriminatory.
They argued that splitting the senior lecturer level into senior lecturer 11 and senior lecturer 1 will unnecessarily lengthen the lecturer’s care.
The union also observed that the further elongation of the lecturer cadre to a 9-step structure required a minimum of 26 years to reach the top-most level, and demanded a return to the former structure.
They said, “We have equally observed with great concern the extension of promotion beyond senior lecturer to a minimum of four years which is demoralising to our members.”
“The introduction of national skills qualifications as a mandatory requirement for advancement in academics is insensitive and lacks a place in the academic sector in the polytechnic.
“This is an extra burden on lecturers without commiserate benefits to the system. The union is rejecting in all ramifications its inclusion as a requirement for career progression for lecturers.”
The union also complained about the deliberate exclusion of HND pharmaceutical technology from the document despite a subsisting court order, which it describes as a gross violation of the rule of law.
It, therefore, rejected the development and urged the NBTE, to make every arrangement, and reinstate HND pharmaceutical technologists into the document.
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