Senate is working to address B.Sc., HND dichotomy, says Garba

The Senate Committee on Tertiary Education says it is working to balance the differences in the degrees acquired at universities, polytechnics and colleges of education in the country.

The Chairman of the committee, Sen. Binta Garba, told journalists in Abuja on Wednesday that the committee would ensure a balance in qualifications acquired at tertiary institutions.

“Again what we are doing as a committee on tertiary institution; we are trying to come out with a conference on legislative agenda on education.

“We are trying to look at all other summits on education, trying to look at policies of government on education and trying to see how we can have a balance.

“Not every one of us can go to the university because this syndrome or dichotomy between the university, polytechnic and colleges of education, I think we want to streamline it and allow every person that has gone to any tertiary institution to believe that he is not a second class citizen, but a first class citizen.’’

The senator said education was important as it ensured that men and women played their distinct roles in the society.

According to her, fighting for gender equality sends a very strong signal to the male folk.

She stated that the struggle should be focused on achieving gender parity through education.

“First and foremost I am a firm believer in gender parity, not gender equality because when we talk about gender equality, it sends a very wrong signal even to the men folk.

“They now look at the spiritual aspect and what have you.

“But educationally, it is the right of every Nigerian child to be educated by the government.

“Once that child is denied the right, obviously you are creating a community that tomorrow, every one of us will be sorry for,” she said.

Garba stated that although different parts of the country experience challenges that limit their access to education, much is being done to initiate a policy “that will be friendly to all and sundry’’.

“In the northern part of the country, the problem of education is on the girl child, while in the southern part, the problem is the boy.

“When you blend the two and come up with a policy that will be friendly to all and sundry, definitely every child will have his education.”

She, however, urged Nigerians not to relent in acquiring education, which she said, had the capacity to reduce poverty in the society.