By Iffy
Priscilla Sitieni, world’s oldest primary school pupil, has died in Kenya aged 99, local media reported.
The grandmother whose resolve to acquire an education in her 90s inspired a French film titled “Gogo”, and won praise from UNESCO, leading to her first air flight and visit to France, to meet first lady Brigitte Macron.
Her grandson, Sammy Chepsiror, told The Standard newspaper that Gogo Priscilla (Granny Priscilla), as she was fondly known, died at home on Wednesday after developing a chest complication.
“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,” he told the newspaper on Thursday.
“We are thankful for the 100 years of her life. She made all of us proud,” he added.
In an interview with the UN agency last year, she said
“I wanted to show an example not only to them but to other girls around the world who are not in school,” she said.
“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.”
The film’s co-writer Patrick Pessis paid tribute to her on Thursday, tweeting: “Her message about girls’ education lives on.”
