Priscilla Sitieni, the world's oldest primary school student, who inspired a French film and received UNESCO recognition, died in Kenya at the age of 99, according to local media.
Her grandson, Sammy Chepsiror, informed The Standard newspaper that Gogo Priscilla (Granny Priscilla) died at home on Wednesday due to a chest problem.
"Gogo was in excellent health and attended her lessons 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 100 years of life." "She made us all proud," he continued.
According to UNESCO, she was 94 when she convinced the principal of the local school in her village in Kenya's Rift Valley to enroll her, 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 return to school after having children, rather than dropping out due to shame or fear of social stigma.
“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.”
Her efforts were documented in a French film titled “Gogo”, which led her to take a plane for the first time last year to visit France and meet first lady Brigitte Macron.
The film’s co-writer Patrick Pessis paid tribute to her on Thursday, tweeting: “Her message about girls’ education lives on.”
AFP
