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The world’s oldest student, Priscilla Sitieni who was 99 years old, passed away
NAIROBI: Priscilla Sitieni, the oldest primary school student in the world, has passed away in Kenya at the age of 99, according to Kenyan local media. Sitieni was determined to complete her education in her 90s and inspired by a French movie that garnered acclaim from UNESCO.
Gogo Priscilla, or “Granny Priscilla,” as she was affectionately called, passed away at home on Wednesday as a result of a chest problem, according to her grandson Sammy Chepsiror, who spoke to the media.
“Gogo was in good health and attended her lectures until three days before her death when she had chest symptoms, forcing her out of school,” he told the newspaper on Thursday.
“We are grateful for her life of 100 years. She made us all proud “He continued.
According to UNESCO, she was 94 when she asked the principal of the local school in her village in Kenya’s “Rift Valley” to enroll her in the classroom, and she was recognized as “a role model for her community and beyond.”
She told the UN agency last year that her goal was to encourage young women in Kenya to start school after having children, rather than leaving out due to shame or fear of social stigma.
“I wanted to set a positive example not only for them but for other girls throughout the world who are not educated in this contemporary world,” she explained.
“There will be no difference between you and a chicken if you don’t have an education,” she remarked by setting an example.
“Your future depends on your education and education is essential in the era full of technology. Education is a particular phenomenon that we can never lose once we have it.”
Her achievements were portrayed in the French film “Gogo,” which inspired her to fly for the first time last year to France to meet first lady “Brigitte Macron”.
“Patrick Pessis”, the film’s co-writer, paid homage to her on Thursday, tweeting, “Her message regarding girls’ education goes on.”
