Championing and supporting learners, teachers and communities.
For millions of South African children, crowded classrooms and limited resources continue to hold back a generation of learners. This month, BIC once again helps to access quality learning so that, despite the challenges, children have the tools and support they need to reach their full potential.
The sixth Global Education Week (GEW) reaffirms its mission to put the power of learning in children’s hands. It’s part of BIC’s global Writing the Future, Together sustainability program launched in 2018, which seeks to improve learning conditions for 250 million students globally by 2025.
International assessments show that around half of all SA students drop out before finishing secondary school, and among those who reach matric, roughly one in four fail. Only a small fraction (less than 5 per cent) of children who begin primary school eventually earn a university degree.
Leaving school before matric does not just end a child’s education – it cuts off their chances of finding work, building a future, and breaking the cycle of poverty.
For BIC, helping students learn goes beyond GEW. Since 2012, the company has donated over 17 million pens to South African schools, keeping classrooms stocked and learners equipped.
In 2025 alone, through its various initiatives in SA, BIC has …
- Donated over one million pens and pencils via Buy a Pen Donate a Pen
- Visited 466 high schools and 137 primary schools
- Hosted 46 roadshow activations in high schools across the country as part of their effort to motivate learners and reduce South Africa’s dropout rate
- Reached more than 500 000 students and 16 000 teachers in need
- Distributed 35 000 pen licences to primary school learners and 115 000 pens to matric learners
This year, BIC’s GEW focused on CJ Botha Secondary School in Industria, Johannesburg, near the company’s manufacturing site. BIC team members joined forces to refresh and reorganize the school library. The project also included providing teachers and learners with essential writing tools.
The story of BIC’s involvement in education is one of consistency. Each year, the company looks at how it can contribute where the need is greatest, whether that means equipping teachers, transforming learning spaces, or providing students with the basic tools that enable them to express their ideas and structure their thoughts.
Writing, after all, remains one of the most fundamental skills in education. It underpins how we communicate, reason, and remember. For many learners, something as simple as having a reliable pen can mean the difference between participation and silence in the classroom.
Through GEW, BIC’s team members also volunteer their time, sharing skills and supporting initiatives that uplift schools and teachers. This hands-on involvement reflects a belief that genuine corporate citizenship combines global vision with local impact.
Details: www.corporate.bic.com, www.bic.com.
