Poly Students Want Only Professors Or PhD Holders As Rectors

Students in Nigeria's polytechnics have asked the Federal Government to restrict the appointment of rectors in the polytechnic system, to only professors or holders of PhD 

President of the National Association of Polytechnic Students, NAPS, Sunday Asuku who made the call in a statement in Abuja on Thursday, also commended the Federal Government on the promulgation of the Polytechnic Act in Nigeria

The NAPS in the statement ,says the era of appointing Rectors who are not educationally advanced will no longer be tolerated. 

The statement reads in parts:

 “We must commend the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration for its relentless effort and robust commitment to reposition the Polytechnic sector in the country, going by the establishment of more federal Polytechnics and signing into law the new polytechnic act to further strengthen access to technical and vocational education and the effective management of existing Polytechnics respectively" .

“We stand tall to call for strict adherence to the Polytechnic Act and appointment of the most qualified by all standards as substantive Rectors in Nigeria Polytechnics"

“We have been following the process of appointment of the new Rector of Auchi Polytechnic, the significance of the Polytechnic being one among the first generation and premier Polytechnics in Nigeria which serves as a reference to back the ongoing agitation for an end to the dichotomy between first degree and HND in Nigeria arose our interest"

“We have bid farewell to the era of appointing mere MSC holders as Rectors of any polytechnic, with the advent of new the Polytechnic Act signed by President Muhammadu Buhari, we stand by the letters and words of the new Act in the appointment of Rectors for our polytechnics nationwide and Auchi Polytechnic can’t be an exception"

“It’s our wish that professors head our Polytechnics going forward and in the absence of one, at least, a PhD holder with proven in-depth academic research experience, management and innovations be the next in line. NAPS shall reject any move to impose less qualified individuals as Rector of any Polytechnic and most importantly, the Auchi Polytechnic.”

 “Our continued struggle for an end to discrimination will suffer a great setback if a less qualified person is appointed Rector of such institution with a peculiar role in the ongoing struggle"

“We express satisfaction on the conduct of the process of appointment of Rectors in our Institutions so far by the selection committee and the Governing Council of the Polytechnics. We urge the Federal Government to appoint based on merit and qualification. It’s a disaster to politicize academic inclined appointments such as the Rector of a Polytechnic.

“As students, our voice must be heard, we remain major stakeholders in any Polytechnic community, therefore, in the interest of peace, we urge the Federal Government to stick to the Polytechnic Act by appointing the most qualified and competent hand to head the AUCHI Polytechnic.

“We shall continue to engage all critical stakeholders to ensure the advancement of our sector as we remain a partner in progress and force in stopping any form of sharp practice, injustice and manipulations”, the students insisted