The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a bill to abolish and prohibit discrimination between First Degrees and Higher National Diplomas (HND) in the same profession.
The bill which was presented by Rep. Mohammed Mongonu (APC -Borno) at the plenary presided over by the Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara was sponsored by Rep. Ali Isa (Gombe-PDP) and Rep. Edward Pwajok (Plateau-PDP).
According to Pwajok while leading the debate for the bill said a research carried out by him on both certificates, showed that the discrimination had no moral justification.
He added also that the unfortunate situation would cause the international community to undermine the status of educational institutions in the country.
He decried the amount of segregation at employment level, adding that those with a first degree are placed on Grade Level 8, while those with HND are placed on Grade Level 6 or 7.
He stressed also that while technical experts are paid higher in other countries, the reverse was the case in Nigeria.
He said that if the private sector must develop, proper recognition must be given to polytechnics and similar institutions in the country. (NAN)