Posted by From Juliana Taiwo in Abuja on
The Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Dr. Nuru Yakubu, has disclosed that the Federal Government has set aside N23bn in the 2006 budget for the board and federal polytechnics.
The Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Dr. Nuru Yakubu, has disclosed that the Federal Government has set aside N23bn in the 2006 budget for the board and federal polytechnics.
Yakubu disclosed that the board with the Rectors of the various Polytechnics have concluded plans to lobby the National Assembly to legislate on the presidential directive for the complete removal of the disparity between degree and Higher National Diploma holders describing it as the best thing that had happened to the development of technical education in the country.
Yakubu said that the amount covered personnel, overhead and capital expenditure of the NBTE and the polytechnics for 2006. The allocation of N23 bn he said is substantial but noted that "we feel that more should be added, particularly to the capital budget."
The NBTE said that the directive that polytechnics should stick to their carrying capacity as well as to adhere to the ratio of 70:30 in admission would affect revenue generation by the institutions.
He explained that due to expected decline in revenue generation 'we have commenced lobby of the National Assembly members on the need, if the opportunity avails itself, to increase in particular the overhead grant in the federal polytechnics.'
On the removal of the disparity between degree and HND holders, he said that they would work with all relevant bodies, organisations persons and major stakeholders to actualise it.
He said that they were considering all options including a law to make it illegal for any employer to discriminate against holders of HND in terms of employment.
ìWe will pursue all options and if it requires a bill to the National Assembly, we will be most willing to sponsor such bill. We will explore the presidential directive to the fullest because it is one of the best news about the development of technical and vocational education in this country,î he said.