Handwriting competition enhances literacy in Budo school

The education ministry has concluded the fourth edition of a handwriting competition, aimed at enhancing literacy skills among students. 

Over 11,000 students participated in the programme, which emphasises the importance of handwriting in promoting effective communication, cognitive development, and academic success.

Education ministry official Musoke Abbey Bbosa highlighted the significance of writing as a skill that extends beyond just penmanship. 

"Today, we are celebrating Writing Day with a BIC pen. Communication is a four-way approach that enables children to write, speak, listen, and hear from others. Writing is a key skill that enables you to send a message to others, and today, children have showcased that ability," Bbosa said on August 16, 2025.

This was during a Penmanship Initiative at Budo Junior School in Wakiso district. The writing competition has been going on in various schools.

Budo Junior School deputy headteacher Mirembe Irene also emphasised the positive impact of the programme on students. 

"The initiative has greatly benefitted our students and instilled confidence in them. When students experience the ability to write and bring their thoughts to life with high-quality writing tools, they feel empowered. There is also a direct correlation between handwriting, information retention, and cognitive development," Mirembe stated.

Salome Ngugi, Marketing Manager for BIC East Africa, which collaborated with the education ministry to organise the event, praised the programme's sustainable growth year-on-year.

"We are excited to see that the ‘Express Myself with My BIC Pen’ programme has continued to grow. As a stationery manufacturer and an advocate for education, BIC believes in the power of self-expression. Our initiatives aim to nurture students’ abilities by providing them with high-quality writing tools that are essential for education and personal growth," Ngugi told this publication.

Jerome Kitaka, a parent, expressed pride in the programme's impact on their child, "Watching my child gain confidence through this programme has been incredibly rewarding. His newfound skills in writing and drawing are evidence of the positive impact this program has had on his self-esteem and academic progress."

Kalule Ismail, a Primary Three pupil, said, "Completing the programme has boosted my confidence in my handwriting. It has greatly improved how I present my schoolwork, and I am proud to show my progress to my teachers and peers."

The initiative has reportedly impacted over 35,000 learners across 120 schools, aligning with BIC's goal of improving learning conditions for 250 million students by 2025.

The government called for the program's expansion to other rural and peri-urban schools to also benefit from its impact.