Global stationery manufacturer BIC is commemorating its donation of one million writing tools to students in schools across the country in the past three years.

BIC says this is part of its flagship “Buy Me and BIC Will Donate a Pen” campaign which was unveiled in 2020 to provide school students with the necessary writing tools in class.

The drive emanated from BIC’s pledge to boost the conditions of learning for 250 million students across the world by 2025.

BIC partnered with CFK Africa to donate more than 300,000 pens to more than 150,000 students in Machakos, Kajiado, Nakuru, Mombasa, Kilifi, Kiambu and Kisumu counties this year alone.

Speaking at Magoso Primary School, in Kibra, Nairobi, BIC East Africa Marketing Manager Salome Ngugi, said expressed pride in the key milestone realized by the stationery maker.

“Lack of resources is one of the major reasons for school dropouts and student demotivation. Through our product portfolio, we are able to help fill a gap in the education space, with the aim of elevating learning conditions for students – a fundamental element to their growth and development,” said Salome.

She added, “Our Buy Me and BIC Will Donate a Pen campaign has allowed us to donate one pen for every stationery item sold in the country. We are proud of the impact that this has had on students to date and look forward for more to come.”

CFK Africa Education Project Officer Joshua Omweno intimated that BIC shared the company’s vision of keeping all children in school across Kenya.

“Writing tools are a crucial element of students’ learning experience and their ability to actively engage in the classroom,” said Omweno.

Mogoso Primary School Headteacher Daniel Ochieng, while lauding BIC for its donation of writing tools, noted the importance that writing tools play in the learning experience.

“For parents, the main focus is on the safety and nutrition of their children during the school day, while teachers often primarily focus on content and curriculum. We are grateful to partner with like-minded organizations like BIC that help us fill an important gap in a student’s learning experience,” noted Ochieng.

The “Buy Me and BIC Will Donate a Pen” campaign is among the education-driven initiatives run by BIC alongside EduTalk, which discusses challenges and opportunities in the education sector in Kenya.