Today a great injustice is done on HND holders, they are regarded as second class graduate, denied of many job opportunities, Limited in promotions and often relegated to the background unlike the BSc holders.
The HND (Higher national diploma) I safe acquired after 5 years of polytechnic education,the first two years is for OND (ordinary national diploma), a one year compulsory industry training and another two years. Although the polytechnics are established to provide middle level manpower for the industry but this aim has been defeated because our society is not developing technologically but mainly import dependent.
In most firms their promotion are limited to certain supervisory role. They cannot attain management position and some employers do not employ HND graduates at all but prefer BSc holders.
This frustration has led many to seek for remedy in higher qualification or even the BSc in other to escape the discrimination. This task is not easy because our educational institutions does not make it so. To study for BSc after your HND programme, you will be made to spend a minimum of three years. This is in contrast to what is obtainable in some countries like United States of America where you are required to undergo a one year top up program and you will be awarded the BSc.
It is also a fact that proceeding through post graduate diploma to MSc without getting the BSc doesn't totally save an Hnd holders from discrimination as most often reference is made to the first degree.
The long age agitation for the solution to the predicament of HND holders has fallen on deaf hears. Although President Olusegun Obasanjo made some effort in upgrading most polytechnic to enable them award Bachelor degree, little progress was made as many of them still maintained status quo. The lifting of the seal in the promotion of HND holders above level 14 in the civil service is also credited to him.
What then is the fate of HND holders in the present day competitive Labour market amidst their discrimination. First it will be good for students seeking admission into polytechnic to be told what awaits them in future. Yes! They should be informed before taking leap since many graduates are regreting for not being properly informed before they enrolled for the programme.
The government should rise to the plight of the polytechnics by upgrading them to the standard of awarding Bachelor degree to enable their graduates compete favorably with their University counterparts.
In the time being, for those who are caught in this menace, efforts should be made to acquire the BSc. This can done Through part time programs as offered by Uniport and others. This will pay off in the long run than waiting for government who may not respond soon.