A message from the Dean of students
The Kisumu National Polytechnic is the best academic destination for quality education because the training is skills based, discipline amongst the students is very high and lecturers are dedicated towards their work. The Polytechnic is unique in that facilities for various courses are adequate. A close relationship between lecturers, students, administration and other members of staff exists too. The existing teamwork has ensured continued academic excellence and ready job market for students whenever they graduate.
The office of the Dean of Students at The Polytechnic is primarily concerned with students’ welfare while in the Polytechnic. It is committed to helping all students at the reach their fullest potential by encouraging them to engage in self-reflection and think critically in order to foster personal growth. The DoS staff members work to meet each student’s unique need in order to support their academic success.
The Office is under the general guidance of the Chief Principal and is situated on first floor of the Hospitality Building/Student’s Centre.
The office works in liaison with its service departments and co-ordinates the activities the departments. The departments are; Guidance and Counseling, Accommodation, Catering services, Clinical services, Clubs and Societies, Students Union (KINAPOSA) and Sports. It also works in liaison with the Security department for student’s welfare. The Office of the DoS acts as a link between the Polytechnic Administration and the students and further provides chaplaincy services through the relevant patrons by co-coordinating religious activities in the institution.
Guidance and Counselling
The Guidance and Counseling unit promotes and facilitates students’ personality, social and intellectual development. It assists in bringing up a holistic person who is responsible, accountable and of good character in all these undertakings. Departmental Counselors liaise with those who closely interact with the affected students including parents, teaching staff, students and medical doctors and assist them to manage and resolve their problems. This unit also trains Peer Counselors and involves them in dealing with the HIV/AIDS scourge and Alcohol, Drug and Substance Abuse as well as family planning issues.
Catering and Accomodation
Catering and Accommodation sections oversee the catering services and accommodation to students pursuing their academic studies. The sections ensure quality provision of meals and adequate accommodation space to students. The unit has two sections; Catering and hostel. The Catering section is in charge of kitchen within the polytechnic and provides students with quality meals using PAYE (Pay As You Eat system).
Hostels
The hostel section is in charge of accommodation. The Kisumu National Polytechnic has limited bed capacity of 734 beds, (294 for ladies while 440 for men). In an effort to expand the hostel capacity and mitigate the limited bed space, the dean’s office through the authority of the Chief Principal has sourced for secure private hostels in the neighborhood where an additional 160 students are accommodated at the Polytechnic rate of Ksh. 6,000.00 per term. The polytechnic hostel bed allocation is strictly based on “first come first served and on full fee payment”. The institution is in the process of developing an online hostel booking portal which shall greatly improve the process of hotel booking and allocation. The dean’s office ensures that all the students who have paid for accommodation get accommodation either within the Polytechnic compound or at private hostels outside the Polytechnic compound.
The Dean and deputy dean in liaison with the college Nurse and Clinical Officer ensure students receive prompt medical attention at the polytechnic Clinic. The Clinic refers more serious cases to the nearby medical facilities for specialized attention after which the students parents are immediately informed.
KINAPOSA
For better coordination, the Polytechnic has an empowered students’ association known as Kisumu National Polytechnic Students’ Association (KINAPOSA). The students’ association is governed by elected student leaders who run their affairs pertaining to their general welfare vis-à-vis social, financial and academic, as per the approved constitution. The association articulates issues on behalf the students. This association prepares programmes for entertainment, cultural and social activities. The elections of the officials are held annually and are coordinated by the Office of the Dean of Students. After KINAPOSA elections, the dean of students organizes for leadership training to equip the newly elected officials with leadership skills.
As the Dean of Students, my vision for TKNP is for the institution to have more hostels for females and independent entertainment rooms for both male and female students. I also hope to see the institution embracing online hostels’ bookings soonest possible.
I would like to encourage both the student and staff to maintain the cordial and consultative relationship they have had over the years and the parents to bring their sons and daughters to the Kisumu National Polytechnic, as they will never regret.
