The house of representatives has passed a bill abolishing the existing dichotomy, between higher national diploma (HND) and bachelor of science (BSc) degree holders in the country.

The “bill for an act to abolish and prohibit dichotomy and discrimination between first degrees and HND in the same profession” was passed during plenary.

The legislation, which was sponsored by ALI ISA and EDWARD PWAJOK from Gombe and Plateau states respectively, had been passed for second reading since April 2017.

It seeks to end perceived discrimination against polytechnic graduates and remove the challenges faced by HND holders, especially those in the public service.

PWAJOK had said the “discrimination” against the polytechnic graduates “had no moral justification” and that it would make the international community look down on the status of educational institutions in the country.

The federal government recently abolished the dichotomy between the two class of degree holders in the services, under the ministry of interior.