BIC Concludes Fourth Edition of Penmanship Program in Uganda   

BIC, a world leader in stationery, lighters, and shavers, recently concluded the fourth edition of its rebranded penmanship program that benefitted around 11,000 students. 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.

 

Commenting on the sustainability of the program, BIC East Africa’s Marketing Manager, Salome Ngugi, said: “We are excited to see that the Express Myself with My BIC Pen program has seen sustainable growth year-on-year. As a stationery manufacturer, an advocate for quality education, and a true believer in self-expression, our initiatives aim to continue to nurture students’ abilities and empower them to reach their full potential through providing them with high-quality, necessary writing tools for education and self-expression. It is our pleasure to celebrate the impact of this program on our students especially as we mark the 75th anniversary of the iconic BIC Cristal pen this year – a testament to the impact it has had on millions around the world.”

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.

Musoke Abbey Bbosa, Basic Education department – Ministry of Education and Sports while officiating the conclusion of the 4th edition of the Penmanship program said, “Today, we are celebrating the writing day with a BIC pen. Communication is a four-way approach through which children should be able to write, speak, listen and hear from others. Writing is a key skill, that enables you to send a message to the other people and children have been able to do it today.”

Emphasizing the value of handwriting in education, Deputy Head Mistress at Buddo Junior School, Mirembe Irene, stated: “The initiative has significantly benefited our students and instilled confidence in them. When students witness their ability to write and bring their thoughts to life through high-quality writing tools, they feel empowered and believe in themselves. There is also a direct correlation between handwriting, information retention and cognitive development. We are thankful for organizations like BIC that believe in the power of handwriting and self-expression, as we witness the positive impact such initiatives have on our students.”

Participating student, Kalule Ismail of Primary three, shared his 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.”

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.

To date, the initiative has engaged around 120 schools and has impacted over 35 thousand 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.

A global leader in stationery, lighters, and shavers, BIC brings simplicity and joy to everyday life. For 80 years, BIC’s commitment to delivering high-quality, affordable, and trusted products has established BIC as a symbol of reliability and innovation. With a presence in over 160 countries, and over 13,000 team members worldwide, BIC’s portfolio includes iconic brands and products such as BIC® 4-Color™, BodyMark®, Cello®, Cristal®, Inkbox®, BIC Kids®, Lucky™, Rocketbook®, Tattly®, Tipp-Ex®, Wite-Out®, Djeep®, EZ Load™, EZ Reach®, BIC® Flex™, Soleil®, Tangle Teezer® and more. Listed on Euronext Paris and included in the SBF120 and CAC Mid 60 indexes, BIC is also recognized for its steadfast commitments to sustainability and education. For more, visit www.corporate.bic.com and to see BIC’s full range of products visit www.bic.com. Follow BIC on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.