When Mr. Yinka Yusuf left Auchi Polytechnic six years ago, he was looking forward to get a befitting job that will compliment his efforts after his five-year study in the higher institution but a shocking experience awaited him.
After his compulsory one year youth service, he set out to look for a job in a media outfit in Lagos State having obtained upper credit in HND Mass Communication. He prepared his resume and attached the photocopies of his credentials.
On the day of the interview, the management told him that his service was not needed because he is not a graduate. He was further told that the organisation's policy is to engage only university degree holders. He felt dejected and left the place.
Yinka felt that he had to brace up to the challenge. He thought if he could get a masters degree in any of the universities, maybe he could beat the odds against him.
He proceeded to the University of Lagos to obtain a Masters degree to equip himself with a university degree. But he did not envisage that more shocking experience awaited him.
He obtained the form, filled and attached his credentials and on the day of interview, the school authority told him that he did not meet the requirements for studying for a masters programme in the university. He was advised to buy a JAMB form and sit for another examination. He had not recovered from the shock after the experience.
Another graduate, Innocent Azika, an HND and PGD graduate of Quantity Survey wanted to do his Masters at the same university (UNILAG). He was told that the school could only admit him if he can start from 100 level in the same course he had both HND and PGD and had practised for 20 years.
Innocent and Yinka are not the only people that have suffered this kind of humiliation. Mrs. Onyi Ibeji had to go back to the Lagos State University, LASU, to obtain a degree because the company she applied to get a job told her bluntly that she was not employable because she was holding an HND certificate.
Everyday, HND holders suffer these discriminatory practices because of their source of certification, even though the government claimed that both HND and university degree certificate are the same.
Dr. Oge Unegbu attributed the problem to social factors. He said that both HND and degree holders spend the same years in the high institution. He said that in Ghana, once you obtain HND, you can go for your masters .
“Come to think of it, HND is practical-based because of their compulsory one year industrial training (I.T),” he stated.
But Raph Elemuo feels that there is no way that you will equate a degree with HND. He explained that in universities, there are more qualified lecturers who are mainly professors and head the various departments which is very rare in polytechnics.
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