Across South Africa last year, proud parents celebrated the incredible milestone of their children finishing school. But for many families, this moment remains an unfulfilled dream.
For every child who completes their schooling, countless others don’t make it to the finish line. While we cheer the triumphs of young learners who overcome incredible odds, we can’t turn a blind eye to the struggles of those who fall behind.
Did you know over 41% of learners who begin Grade 1 never make it to their matric year?
South Africa’s education system faces one of the highest dropout rates globally, with over half a million learners leaving school every year. Research shows that dropout rates increase significantly after Grade 9, with many learners failing to transition to further education.
In 2022, for instance, nearly 1.2 million children entered Grade 1, but fewer than 580,000 learners were registered to write their matric exams 12 years later.
In 2023, a similar trend continued in South Africa's education system. Of the 1,208,973 learners who entered Grade 1 in 2012, only 740,566 enrolled for Grade 12 in 2023. This means that approximately 468,407 pupils dropped out of the system before reaching their final year of schooling.
This statistic is more than just a number; it represents dreams shelved, potential unrealised, and communities left to carry the weight of lost opportunities.
Several factors contribute to the dropout epidemic. Poverty puts many families at a disadvantage. School fees, transport charges, stationery and uniforms are simply too expensive for them, shutting the door on opportunities before they even begin.
Once inside the classroom, obstacles persist. Overcrowded schools and a serious scarcity of skilled teachers mean that students are not receiving the personalised attention they require to develop.
In fact, South Africa faces a shortfall of teachers, leaving many learners struggling to keep up.
By 2030, South Africa will need approximately 428,000 educators to maintain the current learner-educator ratio (LER), according to SA News.
If this target isn't met, the LER could climb to 31.6:1 student per teacher, creating even bigger class sizes and likely reducing the quality of education further.
Others lack even the most basic learning resources. More than half of South African schools don't have enough books, libraries, and other teaching materials such as pens, and other stationery.
This is where BIC South Africa’s Buy a Pen Donate a Pen initiative steps in to help rewrite the story. Since 2012, BIC has put over 16 million pens into the hands of learners who desperately need them.
The idea is beautifully simple: every time you buy a pen, BIC donates one. It’s a small act with a big impact.
Every year, from March to June, these pens make their way into the hands of students across the country during BIC’s roadshows, bringing hope and opportunity to classrooms nationwide.
BIC's dedication extends beyond providing pens. Through its partnership with Zero Dropout - an initiative that tackles the root causes of South Africa’s dropout crisis - BIC is working to create environments where learners feel like they belong, are valued, encouraged and supported.
Using data, Zero Dropout identifies learners most at risk of falling through the cracks and steps in with targeted interventions. They focus on the things that make a real difference such as mentorship programmes and emotional support.
The message is powerful: no child should feel like they’re facing their struggles alone. Zero Dropout, together with BIC, is here to say, we see you. We believe in you. And we’re here to help you succeed.
This January, as parents and caregivers prepare for the new school year, purchase your BIC back-to-school essentials from leading retail outlets nationally, including Pick ‘n Pay, Checkers, Spar and TakeAlot. Together, we can turn statistics into success stories, one pen at a time.