Priscilla Sitienei, a 99-year-old woman believed to be the oldest primary school student in the world, died peacefully at her home in Kenya, her grandson told the BBC. Priscilla Sitienei began developing health complications after attending class on Wednesday.
She and her 12-year-old classmates were preparing for final exams which were due to start next week.
Ms Sitienei’s story inspired a film and praise from the United Nations culture and education agency, Unesco. She grew up in British-occupied Kenya and lived through her country’s struggle for independence. She told Unesco last year that she wanted to motivate young mothers to go back to school.
“I wanted to show an example not only to them but to other girls around the world who are not in school, without an education there will be no difference between you and a chicken,” he said. she stated.
She joined Leaders Vision Preparatory School in 2010 but also served her village of Ndalat in the Rift Valley as a midwife for over 65 years. She had even helped deliver some of her own classmates, then between the ages of 10 and 14.
Affectionately known as ‘Gogo’, which means grandmother in the local Kalenjin language, she told the BBC in 2015 that she was finally learning to read and write – an opportunity she never had. when she was a child.
She often confronted children who weren’t in school and asked them why. “They tell me they’re too old,” she said. “I tell them, ‘Well, I’m in school and so should you. « »
“I see children who are lost, children who have no father, who go around in circles, without hope. I want to inspire them to go to school,” she added.
“His message lives on”
At first the school turned her down, but soon realized how determined she was to learn. His story was told in a French film called Gogo, which allowed him to visit France and meet first lady Brigitte Macron.