Suspend new scheme of service, ASUP tells FG

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Auchi Polytechnic chapter, Edo State on Friday called for the suspension of the new Scheme of Service in Nigeria Polytechnics which took effect from June 7, 2024.

The lecturers said the new scheme represents is inimical to the growth and development of the polytechnic education as well as career progression of lecturers in the polytechnic system.

In his address during the meeting, the chapter chairman, Bamidele Osamudiamen, noted that the gains recorded by the sector in recent times would be eroded by the new scheme.

He also said that the new scheme of service would further reinforce the HND-BSc dichotomy, while condemning the document for promoting discriminatory practices favouring university degree holders over HND holders in the country.

He said, “The unfair career progression guide in the sector particularly as it affects the teaching and non-teaching staff cadres is a recipe for crises as such is not reflective of the remuneration accruing to the cadres.

“The contentious document curiously, unjustifiably and unacceptably elongates the career progression steps of the lecturer cadre from a 7 step to a 9 step career development cadre and at the same time added an extra year for promotion to the final two levels.

“This implies that anyone on the lecturer cadre will now endure a minimum of 26 years from the base to the highest level. This is not acceptable particularly in view of the fact that this deviates from the norm in other sub-sectors and that the retirement age in the sector remains unchanged.”

Osamudiamen, warned that ASUU is prepared for industrial action if government fails to take the necessary step to revert the scheme as we are battle prepare for it.

“Starting from Monday, we will kick start the process with a protest against the new scheme while this will be followed by a strike action,” Osamudiamen noted.

The Rector of the Polytechnic, Salisu Umar, backed the lecturers against the new scheme and commended the national body of polytechnic lecturers on their stand on the issue.

The record who noted that the new scheme would kill polytechnic education in the country, urged for it to be thrown away.