More than 73,000 Kenyan students have benefited from a handwriting and creative expression programme by stationery manufacturer BIC since its launch in 2020, as educators increasingly raise concerns over the impact of screen-based learning and limited classroom resources on foundational literacy skills.
The milestone was marked after BIC concluded the sixth edition of its flagship Express Myself with My BIC Pen initiative, a 26-day programme aimed at helping learners build confidence, creativity and communication skills through writing, drawing and storytelling.
The latest edition culminated in a celebration at Kikuyu Township Comprehensive School, where students, teachers and education stakeholders reflected on lessons from the programme and showcased creative projects developed during the initiative.
The programme comes at a time when Kenya's Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) places greater emphasis on communication, creativity, collaboration and critical thinking, even as schools continue to contend with teacher shortages, growing class sizes and inadequate learning materials.
Education experts have also cautioned that while digital learning continues to expand, handwriting remains essential for literacy development, memory retention and effective communication.
Initially introduced as a handwriting improvement initiative, Express Myself with My BIC Pen has since evolved into a broader programme that encourages learners to express their ideas through writing and artistic expression while strengthening critical thinking and self-confidence.
As part of the initiative, teachers received refresher training on effective handwriting instruction alongside learning materials designed to support regular classroom practice and encourage consistent student engagement.
Speaking during the event, BIC East Africa General Manager Paloma Lengema said the programme had evolved in response to the changing needs of learners and educators.
"We are delighted to run this program for the sixth year in a row. The evolution of the initiative from a handwriting to a creative self-expression program is a testament to our commitment to remain close to our learners and educators, and tap into what students need to grow and develop," Lengema remarked.
"The skills students require to express themselves help them reach their full potential as they tap into non-traditional educational learning methods."
According to BIC, the initiative also addresses practical challenges facing schools, including increasing classroom populations and limited access to learning materials, by equipping teachers with practical teaching approaches while giving learners dedicated opportunities to improve their handwriting and communication skills.
Kikuyu Township Comprehensive School Head Teacher Moses Kihuyu said handwriting remains a critical skill despite receiving less attention as teachers juggle multiple classroom demands.
"Handwriting remains one of the foundational skills that supports learning across all subjects, yet it is often overlooked due to competing classroom demands.
"Express Myself with My BIC Pen provided our teachers and learners with a structured approach to practicing handwriting consistently, and we have seen increased enthusiasm, confidence and engagement amongst students," Kihuyu stated.
Kihuyu added that the programme had helped boost learner participation and confidence, noting that the skills acquired would continue benefiting students throughout their academic journey.
Research and educators continue to underscore that handwriting complements, rather than competes with, digital learning by helping learners organise ideas, improve comprehension and strengthen memory—skills that remain central to CBC's learner-centred approach.
With more than 73,000 students reached over the past six years, BIC said it will continue investing in education initiatives across East Africa aimed at nurturing creativity, improving communication skills and empowering the next generation of learners through writing, drawing and storytelling.
