Polytechnic Graduates Disgraced At NYSC Orientation Camp

It was the worst embarrassment ever at the NYSC orientation camp yesterday for some polytechnic Graduates.

They were literally rejected over the issue of non-presentation of Industrial Training (IT) certificates)
Recall our story of the NYSC introducing a new policy demanding their proof of participation in the IT before proceeding further to their Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes.

Those who could not solve the problem arrived the NYSC orientation camp of thei posting with bitter tales.
IT was essentially so for polytechnic graduates mobilised for Batch B Stream.

Their inability to provide evidence of the mandatory one-year Industrial Training (IT) as a requirement for participating in the camp, saw to their disgrace.

The NYSC Coordinator in Lagos State, Mrs Yetunde Baderinwa, had told NAN August 3,’ that the directive would take effect from the next orientation camp.

“That is part of the requirement for obtaining an HND Certificate, isn’t it? So, it’s just that certificate.
“That is one of the documents they are required to present at the camp.

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“They would get admission into the camp, but whether they would be registered or not is the issue.

“You know, everyone is admitted to the camp, and your documents are scrutinised. But what happens is that that is the requirement”, an NYSC official had told Punch on the matter earlier.

However, another category of students at the centre of the rejection at the NYSC orientation camp, is graduates of Science Laboratory Technology (SLT) over the non-possession of IT letters.

The board had earlier said SLT graduates from polytechnics must be registered with the National Institute for Science Laboratory Technology (NISLT) before being mobilised for service.

However, the NBTE executive secretary, Idris Bugaje said the agency has never made registration with any professional body as a condition for polytechnic graduation to participate at the NYSC orientation camp.
Bugaje stated this in a letter addressed to NYSC insisted.

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According to him, the NBTE remains the country’s sole regulator of polytechnic education.
He explained that NBTE carries out joint accreditation of programmes with the NISLT and other professional bodies.
“The NYSC should have sought clearance from the NBTE as regulators of the polytechnic sector before taking this decision.
Bugaje asked the NYSC to revoke the decision as a condition for mobilising HND graduates to enable them be part of the process at the orientation camp.
No matter how it eventually turns out the stigma of polytechnic Graduates at the NYSC orientation camp may deepened the long-standing discrimination that had trailed them.