80-Year-Old Granny Enrolls for Primary 1

An 80-year-old woman in Uganda has surprised people after she enrolled for Primary school saying she wants to become a teacher.

Ms Maria Obonyo, a farmer, on Monday told local media that after enduring a lot of ‘suffering and ridicule’, she decided to go to school to learn how to speak and write in English.

“I decided to enroll at primary school because I lost all my relatives and there was nobody to take care of me. I am determined to study until I graduate from Makerere University as a teacher,” she said.

Should Ms Obonyo complete her school cycle, she will be 96 by then.

Ms Obonyo, however, says she currently faces a myriad of challenges, notably being unable to meet her school fees.

“I also need a better structure to sleep in because I am currently staying with the village chairman” she says.

Ms Obonyo’s decision to enroll for Primary One at such an age is an eye-opener to her age-mates and those who had dropped out of school to resume, according to village chairman Mr Twaha Magero.

The director of the school she has enrolled, Ms Stella Tayona, says Ms Obonyo enrolled at her school in Baby Class in 2015 and graduated from Top Class last year.

“She is a hardworking pupil who never misses classes and is social to fellow classmates,” Ms Tayona says, adding that the school currently foots most of her basic scholastic requirements although she is seeking help from well-wishers.

The school’s head teacher, Ms Olivia Kwagala, says Ms Obonyo has made the school proud by studying at such an age and is confident she will complete Primary Seven.

“She is also so eager to learn how to append her signature on a document,” Ms Kwagala adds.