41% of learners don't finish school.
Together we can make the future write.
LEARN HOW
41% of learners don't finish school.
School dropout is a global crisis that impacts students around the world. In
South Africa dropout rates have reached 41%* to date, impacting the future of the country and the
upcoming generation. At BIC® we have a GLOBAL commitment to improving learning conditions for
250
million students by the year 2025 which we believe will assist in stemming this global education crisis.
Our Buy a Pen Donate a Pen initiative has resulted in the donation of over 14 million writing tools to
date. This year's campaign will help BIC® donate 1 million writing tools to students and
teachers
in need.
*StatsSA. P0318 - General Household Survey (GHS), 2021. www.statssa.gov.za/?page_id=1854&PPN=P0318&SCH=73293. BIC® makes no representation or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, quality or suitability of the statistics contained in the advertisement.
Buy a pen
Donate a pen
As an iconic brand in South Africa, and the market leader in Stationery, BIC® is a part of every student's educational journey from the first day of school to the last day. BIC® launched the BUY A PEN, DONATE A PEN campaign in 2012 to help make a difference to students in need and has donated, with your help, over 14 million writing tools to students and teachers to date.
2023 to date we have visited & donated:
137
High Schools Visited
30
Primary schools visited
601 050
Number of pens donated
46 200
Number of pencils donated
How can you help?
Do you want to contribute on a personal level? Are you part of an organisation? Whatever your answer is, you have reached the right place. Everyone has a role to play in fighting school dropouts and creating a prosperous future for South African youth.
Donate pre-loved clothing and shoes
Provide meal kits
Donate stationery
Sponsor a child's school fees
Volunteer at your local school or community centre
BIC® supports Zero Dropout in its national campaign focused on halving the rate of school dropout by 2030. The programme aims to raise awareness around the high school dropout crisis, encouraging individuals and organisations to join the movement to contribute towards a more prosperous South Africa.
Learn more
MEDIA COVERAGE
Since inception, our Together We Can Make the Future Write campaign has received noteworthy mention in the media. Here are various snippets from media coverage that we have received.
BIC® and Zero Dropout on Soweto TV
Watch as Merle Mansfield from Zero Dropout gives insight into the alarming school dropout plight and what BIC® is doing to assist.
BIC® and Zero Dropout on Channel Africa
Merle Mansfield from Zero Dropout discusses the frightening situation of school dropouts and what BIC® is doing to help..
Listen to the Zero Dropout and BIC® interview on Bay FM
Listen as we discuss the reasons behind the high rate of school dropouts in South Africa.
Listen to the Zero Dropout and BIC® interview on Power FM
Enjoy this interview as we go over the causes behind South Africa's high school dropout rate.