Non-teaching Staff Oppose Reviewed Polytechnic Scheme Of Service

The Non-Teaching Staff Union of Polytechnics (NOTSUP) has rejected the recently reviewed Polytechnic Scheme of Service, describing it as discriminatory and inconsistent with existing public service norms.

In a submission to the minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, national president of NOTSUP, Comrade Shaba Nakorji, said the reviewed document deviated significantly from the agreements reached during a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

Nakroji said the union withheld its acceptance of the scheme on the grounds of equity, fairness and adherence to established public service practices.

According to him, the reviewed scheme introduced a discriminatory entry-point placement that favours teaching staff over non-teaching staff with similar qualifications.

He explained that teaching staff with first degrees were placed on CONPCASS 2 (GL 09 equivalent), while non-teaching staff with the same academic qualifications were placed on CONTEDISS 7 (GL 08 equivalent).

Nakroji described the move as “unacceptable” and said it contradicts long-standing public service practice, which grants parity of entry for officers with comparable qualifications.

The NOTSUP president also rejected what he described as an artificial restriction on career progression to CONTEDISS 15 (GL 17 equivalent) for eligible non-teaching staff.

He said existing agreements, including the 2010 Agreement and relevant circulars, recognise CONTEDISS 15 as a legitimate terminal grade for non-teaching staff in polytechnics.

Nakroji warned that the denial of career progression has led to staff stagnation, declining morale, and loss of experienced personnel to other public institutions.

He urged the minister of education to review the union’s submission and harmonise the polytechnic scheme of service with those of universities and colleges of education.