Faith Nyasuguta
Kenya’s Priscilla Sitienei, believed to be the world’s oldest school pupil has passed away peacefully at her home at the age of 100 years.
“Gogo”, which refers to grandmother in the local Kalenjin language, was how Ms Sitienei was lovingly described by many.
Her grandson Sammy Chepsiror, told Kenya’s Standard newspaper: “She died peacefully in the presence of some family members. We are thankful for the 100 years of her life. She made all of us proud.”
/Kibor Michael/
Ms Sitienei’s story became the inspiration for the French film Gogo Priscilla which led to a meeting with France’s First Lady, Brigette Macron.
In a tribute via Twitter, one of the film’s co-writers said Ms Sitienei’s “message on girls’ education remains”.
Ms Sitienei started attending Vision Preparatory School with her great-great grandchildren after she opted at age 90 to return to primary education, having worked for several decades as a traditional midwife.
She was not able to attend school as a child but when the Kenyan government began subsidising primary school fees in 2003, it allowed her and other senior citizens, another chance.
She informed news outlets back in 2015 that she wanted to inspire older children who were not attending school to go back saying: “They tell me they are too old,” she says, “I tell them, ‘Well I am at school and so should you.
