ASUP calls on FG to suspend the new service program

The Polytechnic Academic Staff Union, Auchi Polytechnic Chapter, Edo State, on Friday called for the suspension of the new roster of the Nigerian Polytechnics which will come into effect on June 7, 2024.

The lecturers said that the new system was detrimental to the growth and development of polytechnic education as well as to the career advancement of lecturers in the polytechnic system.

Speaking at the meeting, the Chapter Chairman, Bamidele Osamudiamen, pointed out that the new system would wipe out the gains made in the industry in recent times.

He also said that the new service provision would further reinforce the HND-BSc dichotomy and condemned the document for promoting discriminatory practices that favour university degree graduates over HND graduates in the country.

He said: “The unfair career policies in this sector, particularly with regard to teaching and non-teaching staff cadres, are a recipe for crisis as they are disproportionate to the remuneration due to the cadres.

“The controversial document, in a strange, unjustified and unacceptable way, extends the career levels of the teaching cadre from seven to nine levels, while at the same time providing an additional year for advancement to the last two levels.

“This means that every teaching cadre must now endure at least 26 years from the grassroots to the highest level. This is unacceptable, particularly given that this deviates from the norm in other sub-sectors and the retirement age in this sector remains unchanged.”

Osamudiamen warned that ASUU was prepared for industrial action if the government did not take the necessary steps to reverse the system as we were preparing for such a struggle.

“Starting Monday, we will begin the process with a protest against the new system, followed by a strike,” Osamudiamen noted.

The Rector of the Polytechnic, Salisu Umar, supported the lecturers in their opposition to the new plan and commended the National Association of Polytechnic Lecturers for its stance on the matter.

The journalist noted that the new system would destroy polytechnic education in the country and called for its abolition.