Nairobi, Kenya, 6 March, 2024 - BIC East Africa has recently expanded its flagship creative handwriting program, My Words, My Story, My BIC Pen, which helped students perfect their handwriting as they transitioned from using graphite pencils to pens. Under the new slogan, Express Myself with My BIC Pen, the fourth edition of the initiative incorporates creativity and self-expression in line with the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) system that focuses on art and innovation.

Building on the success of the My Words, My Story, My BIC Pen initiative, BIC extended the program to reach students from grades four to eight. The program only targeted students in grades four to six previously. While My Words, My Story, My BIC Pen focused on cultivating cursive writing skills, Express Myself with My BIC Pen encourages students to express themselves through writing and drawing.

The initiative stems from BIC’s commitment to improve learning conditions for 250 million students by 2025. It is founded on the insight that students hold back on expressing themselves as they hit puberty.

Students participating in the program will become members of the BIC Creators Club, a platform that aims to foster an environment of creativity amongst students. Members will receive a membership badge; writing and drawing tools; as well as drawing books. The Club will aim to ensure longevity of the initiative amongst students, encouraging them to constantly express themselves.

Commenting on the occasion, Marketing Manager at BIC East Africa, Salome Ngugi, said: “We have worked with students for three years to give them confidence as they transition from using pencils to pens. Our move to expand the initiative today stems from our dedication to enhance learning environments across the communities in which we operate. We are conscious of the impact putting pen to paper has on a child’s cognitive development, and aim to help students prosper and become high achievers.”

To commemorate the program, BIC hosted a training session for teachers across all schools involved to train them on program implementation. Teachers will be leading activities related to the initiative in schools throughout the year. This includes interactive workshops and activities designed to refine students’ handwriting skills, boost their confidence, and stimulate imagination. Through personalized guidance and hands-on exercises, participants will develop a deeper appreciation for the art of creativity and handwriting and its significance in self-expression.

My Words, My Story, My BIC Pen was launched in 2020. To date, the initiative has reached 35,000 students, hundreds of schools and teachers. BIC’s commitment to education is part of the company’s sustainable development program, Writing the Future Together, launched in 2018.