EDUCATION

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN GOVERNMENT POLYTECHNIC AND PRIVATE POLYTECHNIC?

POLYTECHNIC

Many students don’t know the differences between private polytechnics and government-owned polytechnics, and today poly TV will shed light on both. That is, the difference between government polytechnics and private polytechnics.

(I) PRIVATE POLYTECHNIC.

A private polytechnic is an established institution, owned, founded, funded, and controlled by an individual or group of people for the purpose of making a profit without the intervention of any government. A private polytechnic is usually founded by public figures to improve the standard of education in their community and also to create employment opportunities for indigene and non-indigenous people. A private polytechnic can also be referred to as a community polytechnic because it serves as an opportunity for the people in the community to acquire education.

(II) GOVERNMENT-OWNED POLYTECHNIC

A government-owned polytechnic is/are an established institution, managed, controlled, and supervised by the government. A government polytechnic can either be a federal polytechnic or a state polytechnic. Federal polytechnics are tertiary institutions established, controlled, and managed by the federal government, while state polytechnics are tertiary institutions established, managed, and controlled by the government of the state to improve the standard of education in the state where the school was established. Both State Polytechnic and Federal Polytechnic are government polytechnics. There are over 50 federal polytechnics in Nigeria and about 70 state polytechnics.

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Differences between A private polytechnic and a government polytechnic

1. ACADEMIC CALENDAR AND PROGRAMMES.

Private polytechnics have the fastest academic calendar, unlike government polytechnics, whose calendar is sometimes slow due to ASUP and NASUP strikes, among other internal crises. Private polytechnic has the fastest programme. ND and HND programmes are only up to two years, so you can easily graduate on time, unlike government-owned polytechnics where you can spend close to four years on your programme. Therefore, when it comes to the fastest academic calendar and duration of programmes, private polytechnic is the best option.

Private polytechnic is very fast. It doesn’t waste your time at all considering your age, unlike government polytechnics that can delay you for 6 years before allowing you to graduate. So if you want to graduate on time without stress, go to a private polytechnic.

2. STRESS.

There is not much stress in a private polytechnic. This is due to their low population. I have been to at least a few private polytechnics and I can say authoritatively that there is not much stress there compared to a government polytechnic where there are too many students, making the signing of documents and registration hell for students. There is no school without stress, but that of a private polytechnic is minimal. Therefore, if you have been looking for a school that will give you peace of mind without stress, I will advise you to quickly Seek admission to a private polytechnic because there is not much stress there.

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3. DISCIPLINE.

Private polytechnic students are not as disciplined as government-owned polytechnic students. This is because of the management structural system. For instance, in a government polytechnic, a student is not allowed to dress however they like, and if you dare disobey this order, you risk expulsion, but in a private polytechnic, you are likely allowed to dress however you like. I am not saying private polytechnic is not strict, but it is not as strict as government polytechnic. So if you want to do it any way you like, I will advise you to choose a private polytechnic. Nobody will peep into your life.

4. PRIVATE POLYTECGNIC IS EXPENSIVE.

One of the disadvantages and differences between a private polytechnic and a government polytechnic is school fees. Private polytechnic school fees are usually high and nothing can be done about it. You have no choice but to pay the high bills. Everything about a private polytechnic is about money; their handouts, hostels, and textbooks are usually costly. But in a government polytechnic, school fees are mostly affordable, and if the school fees are being increased, students can protest, and the fees might be reduced. Government polytechnics are still very affordable. You can’t compare a school fee of 150K per session with that of 60K per session. The difference is clear. When it comes to affordability, government polytechnics are the best because they are affordable, which is why there are more students in government polytechnics than private polytechnics.

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5. SOCIAL EVENTS.

Private polytechnics have poor social vibes, which makes it difficult for talented students to grow. I won’t advise you to go to a private polytechnic if you have a burning talent in you. This is because there may not be a chance for you to showcase your talent, unlike at a government-owned polytechnic where there are always social vibes on campus and a lot of social activities where you can unleash the beast in you and also mingle with other talented people like you. Seeking admission to a government polytechnic will not only build you academically; it will also help you develop your talents and potential compared to private polytechnics that have poor social vibes.

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6. FUNDING.

TETFUND is the agency responsible for special intervention projects in tertiary institutions. Most of the new buildings and latest structures and developments in government polytechnics are being carried out by TETFUND. Aside from that, government polytechnics enjoy funding from alumni associations, federal and state governments, individuals and corporate organizations, which enhances learning for students.

The private polytechnic does not enjoy funding. The money generated by the school is being used to fund the school, and this is why the school fees are usually high and other exorbitant bills. For example, the government pays teaching staff in government polytechnics, but in private polytechnics, the school management is the one paying the teaching staff, and the pay might be a peanut fee. This is the reason why some private polytechnic buildings and lecture rooms don’t look attractive to students because they don’t have funding, and also, the laboratories and others are not well equipped like those of government polytechnics, which is due to poor funding. Private polytechnics lack funding compared to government polytechnics that enjoy funding from alumni associations and public figures.

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7. COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES.

Government polytechnics are profitable to do business with due to the population and availability of students. For Instance, if you are a phone merchant, you may likely get a lot of customers compared to a private polytechnic where the population is scanty. Banks are not usually available in private polytechnics. It is hardly ever a government-owned polytechnic that does not have a commercial bank. Therefore, if you are a business man or woman and thinking of how to expand your business in school, private polytechnics may not be of help. There is no type of commercial activity that you won’t find in a government polytechnic, but in a private polytechnic, the reverse is the case.

8. ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE.

Academic excellence depends on how individual students develop themselves, but still, government polytechnic helps one to be more serious and also contributes to academic excellence. Government polytechnics build and develop students more than private polytechnics. Although there are unserious elements like dullards and olodos in government polytechnics, there are not as many as in private polytechnics. In most cases, government polytechnic products are more academically sound than private polytechnic products.

Government polytechnics have qualified teaching staff and provide students with a higher quality education than private polytechnics. Like I said earlier, academic excellence depends on how individual students develop themselves, and it has nothing to do with private or government, but we both know the truth that getting a lower grade in a federal polytechnic or state polytechnic isn’t bread and butter. Obtaining an upper credit in a private polytechnic is also difficult, but the academic excellence of government polytechnics cannot be overstated. Seek admission to a government polytechnic if you want to acquire quality education.

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10. LECTURERS.

Private polytechnic lecturers are friendly, understanding, and relate well with students, unlike government-owned polytechnic lecturers, who always behave like God. Government polytechnic lecturers are strict and only a few of them relate to students. They are usually stingy with marks and can fail you for missing a lecture class. In the case of a private polytechnic, the lecturers are not usually harsh. The majority of them have PhD masters degrees and have done extensive research, but I don’t believe private polytechnics have many qualified PhD lecturers.

Government polytechnic lecturers enjoy or have access to additional training. The school management can sponsor them to acquire more skills relevant to their teaching fields, which is unlikely to happen in a private polytechnic. Both private and government polytechnic lecturers collect and mandate handouts and textbooks for students, but this is more common in private polytechnics. However, if you choose a private or government polytechnic, please make sure you buy their handout or textbook so that your name can enter their book of life.

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11. STRIKE.

Another unique thing and benefit of schooling in a private polytechnic is that you won’t experience industrial action till you graduate. There is nothing like an ASUP strike or NASU strike in private polytechnics and this is the reason why their calendar and programmes are fast, unlike in government polytechnics where you may end up spending 4 years on campus instead of 2 years. Therefore To avoid delay and academic frustration, just seek admission to a private polytechnic.

12. STUDENTS UNION AND ASSOCIATION.

Private polytechnics don’t have SUG and in a situation where there is any, they are most of the time useless and have little benefit because they can’t decide or dictate for the school management, unlike government polytechnics whereby students’ union government (SUG) can take action and make demands. Freedom of association is part of what you enjoy in government polytechnics. As capable leaders, you can fight for your rights. There is nothing like the Aluta spirit in a private polytechnic.

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13. ADMISSION AND ACCREDITATION.

Gaining admission In private polytechnics, it is as simple as ABC. Whether you pass the JMB or not, private polytechnics will give you admission automatically. This is why some JMB students do receive a message that “you have been offered admission into so and so school.” “Visit the school for an admission letter.” It is true, they need students. Perhaps Instead of wasting your time at home seeking admission, why not pick a private polytechnic form? Admission is just a click away. Unlike government polytechnics, whereby you will do screening, do post UTME and still not be offered admission.

Government polytechnics can easily get accreditation and re-accreditation of new courses, but accreditation of new courses in private may take longer due to a lack of adequate funds.