The world’s oldest primary school pupil, Priscilla Sitieni, a 99-year-old woman, has passed away in Kenya.
Priscilla, who was honoured by UNESCO and served as the inspiration for a French film, passed away at home on Nov. 16 from a chest ailment, according to her grandson Sammy Chepsiror, who spoke to The Standard newspaper.
Sammy speaking to the publication said, “Gogo has been in good health and attending her classes until three days to her demise when she developed chest pains, which forced her out of school.
“We are thankful for the years of her life. She made all of us proud,” he added.
According to UNESCO, which recognized her as “a role model for her community and beyond,” she persuaded the headmaster of the local school in her village in Kenya’s Rift Valley to admit her when she was 94 years old.
Her goal, she stated in an interview with a UN agency last year, is to encourage young mothers in Kenya to finish their education after having children rather than abandon it out of embarrassment or concern about social stigma.
She said, “I wanted to show an example not only to them but to other girls around the world who are not in school.
“Without education, there will be no difference between you and a chicken,” she said.
“Education is your future. Education remains in your head forever and you cannot lose it once you have it.”
Her efforts were featured in the French movie “Gogo,” which caused her to travel by plane for the first time in order to meet Brigitte Macron, the first lady of France, last year.
