Opinion I Imo Poly and the Government's Proposal

IMO POLY AND THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSAL

      

 The last time I checked, there was an ongoing move by the government of Imo State to transform the state’s revered Polytechnic – precisely situated at Umuagwo in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Council – to a degree awarding citadel of learning. The intention was solely occasioned by the present administration’s perception that the ancient institution deserves to be given a lift in all ramifications.

       

 If one says a lift well-deserved, he might not be mistaken. In other words, if someone happens to state that the government’s move is commendable, his opinion shouldn’t be seen as irrational. It suffices to say that the ongoing proposal by the Rescue Mission administration was well calculated, thus deserve applause. One good reason it ought to be tagged a ‘welcome development’ is owing to the obvious fact that Imo State is obviously yearning for additional universities, because more thousands of people from the state are, on a yearly basis, preoccupied with the quest to secure admission in a university.

        

However, it’s imperative to acknowledge that a step might be right but not in the right direction. Though the aim of the Chief Rochas Okorocha-led administration may be genuine and ‘laudable’, it’s pertinent to take some facts into consideration for the interest of education and the state in general. The about-to-be stated observations must be considered closely if the paramount goal of the said move is for the betterment of the Eastern Heartland.

        

It would be recalled that the citadel of learning in question was initially ran as a monotechnic for agricultural studies – then it was known as College of Agriculture – before it was transformed to a polytechnic by the immediate past administration led by Chief Ikedi Ohakim. When it was a monotechnic, it performed tremendously well in the area of agricultural productions and processing that everyone could attest to.

        

It’s mind-boggling that one would hardly locate a monotechnic in most quarters across the country. A monotechnic enables specialization, thus encourages division of labour, which invariably leads to greater productivity. But due to the quest to earn more income via the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) scheme, every government would want to introduce more departments to an existing monotechnic, which can only be possible by transforming it to a polytechnic. It is the same quest that usually warrants transformation from a polytechnic to a university.    

       

But that of Imo state is relatively different because the state is apparently the only place across the federation where education is free ranging from nursery, primary, secondary to tertiary level. This implies that why the government intends to transform the polytechnic is ostensibly as a result of the compelling need for the state to boast of more functional universities coupled with other related reasons.

        

Whatever the actual aim might be, we need to note that polytechnic was invented for a particular purpose. The basic objective that informed the introduction of polytechnic education into the educational system was not unconnected with the rising need to have a platform that would technically impart academic knowledge to its teeming seekers. It’s pathetic that lately this very purpose had been abused in various quarters, not just in Nigeria but across the African continent. This is why currently in the labour market, holders of Higher National Diploma (HND) certificate are often discriminated by employers of labour.

        

Polytechnic was designed to go straight to the point when it calls for impaction of knowledge, technically, compared to the mode of operation of conventional universities. Hence, those calling for polytechnics to be scrapped, or elevated to degree awarding institutions, need to reexamine the reason behind the call. Rather than soliciting for such change, we ought to be more concerned about how to address the ongoing uncalled dichotomy between degree and HND certificates in the labour market. Any HND holder that’s employed in any establishment should commence with Grade Level eight, just as the degree holders are entitled to. Ending the lingering impasse is the only way to address the anomaly, and not to outrightly scrap polytechnics that’s on cause.

       

If the Imo government eventually succeeds in transforming the Imo State Polytechnic, that would create a scenario where the state would no longer boast of any polytechnic; such circumstance wouldn’t unequivocally augur well for any society that truly means well for education, and Imo is not an exception. So, it’s either the government jettison the move, or consider establishing another polytechnic for replacement without much ado. The latter would be very difficult, because we are not unaware of the economic challenges currently faced not just by the state but the country at large. In view of this, I suggest we keep this proposal pending till further notice.

        

Let it not be that I’m against development, but the fact remains that if any targeted meaningful development is channeled inaptly, it may end up generating crisis instead of the intended positive change. To this end, I’m earnestly and humbly appealing to the amiable governor to take a second look at the move. I know his paramount interest is to ensure that every Imolite acquires education with ease, but he equally needs to consider what becomes the fate of the state, education wise, if the anticipated ‘feat’ is actualized.

        

As much as I wish him well and good luck in all his lofty endeavours toward transforming the state, I would want His Excellency to sit down and properly digest this piece that candidly means well for Imolites and the state at large. The piece is only advocating that the needful should be done at all times, and at the right time. Think about it!

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