South Africa has an extremely high school dropout rate, with over 41% of learners who enter Grade 1 dropping out before they complete their schooling. Many factors contribute to the high dropout rate, but the most common theme is a lack of resources.
These resources can be educational materials like books and stationery, school uniforms and transport. However, for too many children, the situation extends to a lack of nutritious food, a shortage of qualified teachers and safe spaces for learning.

BIC has teamed up with Zero Dropout to raise awareness about the issues that contribute to the problem and encourage South Africans to get involved in helping to stem the tide of school dropouts.
Resources are an important factor in keeping learners in school. This is why BIC contributes to many schools, learners and teachers in need nationwide and has donated 16 million pens since 2012 through the Buy a Pen Donate a Pen initiative. The concept is simple but powerful: for every pen purchased, BIC donates one to support learners who lack essential stationery. Each year, a million pens are distributed to schools across the country, thanks to this initiative.
Looking ahead to 2025, BIC will continue this commitment by donating pens to around 400 schools. These donations will be distributed during BIC’s annual roadshows, which run from March to June, bringing essential stationery to students nationwide.
BIC reaches out to thousands of learners of all ages, including Grade 3 students who get their pen licence and matric learners preparing to sit their crucial final exams. This is to ensure they have an essential resource to complete their exams. And because change starts with one, BIC takes the opportunity to package these pens with encouraging messages to motivate seniors ahead of their final exams.

One moment, one action, can change a child’s life forever. Change Starts with One is a concept which is perfectly embodied in Paralympian track athlete, Mpumelelo Mhlongo, whose inspirational story is a great example of how individual efforts, the right environment, and access to relevant resources can create a hero – despite very challenging circumstances.
“As a South African child who needed a cheerleader, I understand the difference that the support of a community can make. Someone took a chance on me and that completely changed the course of my life,” he explained.
Select specially marked BIC products at your favorite retailer and BIC will donate a pen for every BIC pen purchased.
You’ll be buying a great quality pen. At the same time, you’re making it possible for BIC to provide crucial resources to children across the country.
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