BIC Concludes Third Edition of Penmanship Program in Uganda

By Staff Writer

BIC, a world leader in stationery, lighters, and shavers, recently concluded the third edition of its rebranded penmanship program that saw 8,953 students benefiting from it. Previously known as ‘My Words, My Story, My BIC Pen’, the program, revamped to “Express Myself with My BIC Pen”, incorporates creativity and expression through writing and drawing.

Nakasero Primary pupils together with representatives from Bic East Africa, Ministry of Education and Sports and participating Teachers pose with some of the winning students with exceptional handwriting skills

Commenting on the success of the program, BIC’s Marketing Manager in East Africa, Salome Ngugi, said: “BIC is committed to enriching the educational journey of students. Our initiative goes beyond providing writing instruments; it focuses on overcoming challenges such as handwriting proficiency, which is crucial for a child’s growth. Over 8,953 students have benefited in 2024 alone as we aim to create an environment that nurtures students’ abilities and helps them reach their full potential.”

Throughout the program, students expressed their creativity by writing and drawing with the BIC ballpoint pen, making the shift from pencils to pens smoother. Those who excelled were awarded a BIC pen license certificate and received BIC-branded educational materials.

Learners of Nakasero Primary school practices their new handwriting skills as part of the Express Myself with My Pic Pen campaign

Musoke Abbey, Senior Education Officer of Ministry of Education and Sports thanked BIC for enhancing good handwriting skills in schools because that is in line with the Ministry’s objective of promoting reading and writing.

Emphasizing the value of handwriting in education, Head Teacher at Nakasero Primary School, Mr Mujasi Gerald, stated: “The ‘Express Myself with My BIC Pen’ initiative has significantly benefited our students. It has instilled confidence in their writing abilities, aiding in their information retention and cognitive development.”

One participating student, Twimukye Joanna shared her excitement about earning her BIC pen license: “Completing the ‘Express Myself with My BIC Pen’ program has boosted my confidence in my handwriting. It has greatly improved how I present my schoolwork, and I am proud to show my progress to my teachers and peers.”

Nakasero Primary School pupils – Ahumuza Praise (L), Akello Patience (2L), Rubagumya Samuel (2R) and Ssebunya Wilberforce (R) show off their prizes for showcasing good handwriting skills as part of the Express Myself with My BIC Pen campaign

A parent of one of the participating students expressed his pride stating “Watching my child gain confidence through this program has been incredibly rewarding. His new gained skills in writing and drawing are a testament to the program’s positive impact.

Over three years, the initiative has distributed BIC pens to 79 schools, impacting 25,441 students. BIC’s ‘Express Myself with My BIC Pen’ initiative stems from the company’s commitment to improving learning conditions for 250M students by the year 2025 – as part of sustainable development program Writing the Future Together.

-ENDS-

About BIC

A world leader in stationery, lighters and shavers, BIC brings simplicity and joy to everyday life. For more than 75 years, the Company has honored the tradition of providing high-quality, affordable, essential products to consumers everywhere. Through this unwavering dedication, BIC has become one of the most recognized brands and is a trademark registered worldwide.

Today, BIC products are sold in more than 160 countries around the world and feature iconic brands such as BIC Kids™, BIC FlexTM, BodyMark by BICTM, Cello®, Djeep, Lucky Stationery, Rocketbook, Soleil®, Tipp-Ex®, Us. TM, Wite-Out®, Inkbox, and more. In 2023, BIC Net Sales were €2,263 million. The Company is listed on Euronext Paris, is part of the SBF120 and CAC Mid 60 indexes and is recognized for its commitment to sustainable development and education. It has received an A-Leadership score from CDP. For more, visit www.bic.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, or YouTube.