Poly Lecturers Consider Strike Over Controversial Service Scheme

Poly Lecturers Consider Strike Over Controversial Service Scheme

The leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) in Zone B has issued a stern warning regarding the newly proposed service scheme by the head of service of the federation. Through the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), this scheme has been deemed unacceptable by the union.


At a press briefing held at the Plateau State Polytechnic in Jos, the Zonal Coordinator, Simji Lumpye, emphasized that the responsibility for drafting and approving the service scheme should not rest solely with the head of service. Instead, it should involve other key stakeholders, particularly the academic staff union of polytechnics.


Several critical issues were highlighted by the union. Firstly, they rejected the discriminatory practice of favoring bachelor's degree holders over Higher National Diploma (HND) holders for positions such as registrars and bursars. This bias, they argued, undermines the value of HND certificates.


Additionally, the union criticized the division of the senior lecturer position into Senior Lecturer II and Senior Lecturer I, stating that this change unnecessarily prolongs the career progression of lecturers. They also expressed concern over the new 9-step structure, which would require a minimum of 26 years for a lecturer to reach the topmost level, calling for a return to the former system.


Poly Lecturers Consider Strike Over Controversial Service Scheme


"We are deeply troubled by the extension of the promotion period beyond the senior lecturer level to a minimum of four years," the union stated. "This is demoralizing for our members."


Furthermore, the union took issue with the introduction of national skills qualifications as a mandatory requirement for academic advancement. They described this requirement as insensitive and irrelevant to the polytechnic academic sector, adding that it places an extra burden on lecturers without offering corresponding benefits to the system.


Another major grievance was the exclusion of HND pharmaceutical technology from the new scheme, despite a subsisting court order. The union condemned this exclusion as a blatant violation of the rule of law and demanded the reinstatement of HND pharmaceutical technologists into the document.


In conclusion, the union unequivocally rejected the new service scheme and urged the NBTE to make necessary adjustments to address their concerns.

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