Africa-Press – Kenya. Prisilla Siteni, 99, passed away on Wednesday after developing chest complication, her grandson confirms.
Siteni is the world’s oldest primary school pupil.
“She 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,” her grandson told a local newspaper.
“We are thankful for the 100 years of her life. She made all of us proud.”
She inspired a French film titled Gogo and received UNESCO recognition.
Her efforts were documented in the French film, which saw her take a plane for the first time last year to visit France and meet the country’s First Lady Brigitte Macron.
Gogo, means grandmother in the Kalenjin language.
The film’s co-writer Patrick Pessis paid tribute to her on Thursday, tweeting: “Her message about girls’ education lives on.”
Priscilla Sitienei dite Gogo nous a quitté à 100 ans. J’avais écrit avec Pascal Plisson GOGO, film qu’elle enchantait de sa grâce. Au Kenya, choquée que ses petites-filles n’aillent pas à l’école, elle s’y inscrit. Pour l’exemple. Son message sur l’éducation des filles demeure❤️ pic.twitter.com/BOTANoPAbE
In an interview with UNESCO, last year, granny Pricilla said her aim was to motivate young mothers in Kenya to return to school after having children, instead of dropping out due to shame or fear of social stigma.
She was 94, when she persuaded the headmaster of the local school in her village to admit her, according to UNESCO, which hailed her as “a role model for her community and beyond.”
She was a learner at Leaders Vision Preparatory School.
Pricilla loved telling stories to her classmates under trees near the playing fields to make sure her knowledge of local customs is passed on.
“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.”
“Education is your future. Education remains in your head forever and you cannot lose it once you have it.”
She remains the record holder for the oldest primary school pupil in the Guinness Book of Records.
“Education. It will forever be in your heart and brain. It will always be a light to lead your way.”
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