Of B.Sc. And HND Dichotomy

By Hashim Amao

NEWSDAILYNIGERIA– The days of picayune arguments between BSC and HND certificates still lingers. We hoped it would have waned, especially in an era where a Secondary School Certificate holder controls 200 million people, and primary school leavers control businesses with millions breathing in their accounts.

It, however, seems extrinsic debates is a core meal Nigerians can’t take off their table.

B.Sc holders pump shoulders in air; in boast of ranks, accreditations, quality lecturers, almighty structures, recognitions and listless criteria that makes them feel unrivalled. HND holders sog lips in praises of their technicalities, reputations, affordability, merits, and other laudable qualities to high heavens.

Practicality rather than theory, especially in courses like Accountancy, Statistics, Computer Science, Engineering and sorts— fuels HND holders’ belief that they are what Nigerian currently needs to further her economic and technological developments. B.Sc holders would “counter-feel”, reminding their challengers of researches and accreditations that have been of immeasurable pride to Nigeria, especially her academic settings that HND holders also benefit from.

Nigerian government and companies have dashingly played to this unnecessary gallery; with opportunities and regards they have given B.Sc holders over HND holders like employment, renumerations, career promotions.

For example, HND holders were formerly employed with Grade Level 7— GL07— compared to Grade Level 08 for B.Sc holders. Yet, they are denied the chance of advancing beyond Grade level 14. Many companies would later emphasize on B.Sc certificates as though the HND certificates are mere papers.

Oftentimes, who wins the BSC/HND argument depends on the side of the divide on which the debater is. As a BSC holder, I have seen fellow BSC holders, who in their multitude are wack and stench to the standard of university education.

Contrarily, I have seen HND holders who are geniuses and admirations. I have seen it in the other way, too. Which further affirm my stance that genuines are made, not born — regardless of being a BSC holder or HND holder.

Serial strikes from ASUU and ASUP that have beset the academic calendar of both universities and polytechnics, the favoritism, sex-for-grade among other immoralities, have eaten deep. The decay of both settings are what I would rather advise both BSC and HND supremacists to channel their daunting energy towards, rather than unwarranted gales.

Both should hold it mindly, that tertiary certificates are rewards of formal learning, zeal and creative thoughts, the real education or supremacy reflects in one’s characters, dealings, integrity and sorts.

Many public sectors in Nigeria have been, and currently led by both BSC and HND holders, where massive failure, corruption and embezzlement have unfortunately been reported. Is the supremacy theory effective in checking only glories, and not failures?

While the government seem to have regarded BSC holders more their HND counterparts, I would advise the Senate to FULLY enact a legislation to end the discriminations, in order to encourage polytechnic graduates and stop killing technical education and confidence.

Hashim Amao writes from Ibadan.