‘Gogo’ Priscilla, world’s ‘oldest pupil’ dies at 100

Kenya’s Priscilla Sitienei, who was thought to be the world’s oldest school pupil, has died peacefully at home at the age of 100.

“Gogo”, which means grandmother in the local Kalenjin language, was how Ms. Sitienei was affectionately known by many.

Her grandson Sammy Chepsiror, told Kenya’s The 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.”

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 on Twitter, one of the film’s co-writers said Ms. Sitienei’s “message on girls’ education remains”.

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

— Patrick Pessis (@PatrickPessis) November 17, 2022

Ms. Sitienei began attending Vision Preparatory School with her great-great-grandchildren after she decided aged 90 to return to primary education, having worked for several decades as a traditional midwife.

She wasn’t 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.

Ms. Sitienei told the BBC 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.

“I tell them, ‘Well I am at school and so should you’.”