By Anne Kanina

United States International University (Usiu) Vice- Chancellor Frieda Brown has cautioned parents against enrolling their children in mushrooming post- secondary education institutions.

She said parents should investigate the quality of curriculum and facilities at the institutions.

"It is critical to know what your child is studying and make a wise educational investment that will lead to future personal and national profit," she said.

She was reacting to reports middle level colleges are offering substandard academic qualifications.

Brown was speaking on Friday at Usiu during the launch of Hall of Fame, a fund to buy books worth Sh20m written in Africa, about Africa, and by Africans.

Standard Group Managing Director Paul Wanyagah (left ) and United States International University Vice-Chancellor Freida Brown during the launch of a fund for African books library at the university. Photo: Collins Kweyu/Standard

Standard Group Managing Director, Mr Paul Wanyagah, who was the chief guest emphasised the need to offer quality education.

Wanyagah said stocking the library with African books was a bold and giant step.

"Usiu, which has 45 nationalities is proving to be a true body of knowledge in the continent," he said.

Wanyagah cautioned political leadership that in future they would look back in life and either regret or be delighted by what they did for this country.

Students raised Sh1 million, staff Sh800,000 and the alumni Sh1.6m.

"We hope to raise the remaining Sh16.6m in a few years," said Brown.

Chairman of the Alumni Book Fund Ken Kariuki invited corporate bodies, individuals and well wishers to contribute to the fund.

The Hall of Fame would bear the names of contributors and also gardens and reading carrels will be named after them for posterity.

Corporate bodies would also be issued with a membership card to access the library.

The invitation was extended to local and continental authors to give copies of their books to support the initiative.