National Literacy Initiative Continues To Promote Reading Among Young Students

The Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, through the National Literacy Agency, is continuing the implementation of the initiative “Il-Kotba Ħbieb tat-Tfal / Books Are Children’s Friends” during the 2025–2026 scholastic year.

The initiative targets all primary school students, with this cycle focusing on the distribution of age-appropriate books to Year One pupils.

Each child receives books in both Maltese and English to support early reading skills, bilingualism, and the development of a personal home library.

As part of the initiative, Clifton Grima, Minister for Education, visited the Archbishop’s Seminary Primary School in Tal-Virtù, Rabat, where he distributed books to students and visited several Year One classrooms.

Together with Reading Ambassadors Carlos Farrugia, Ruth Frendo, Saviour Darmanin and Joe Grech, the Minister read excerpts to the children, fostering enthusiasm for stories and creating an engaging learning environment.

“With this initiative we’re hitting a lot go goals. We’re fostering a love for reading, helping children build their library at home and also showing them how reading opens new horizons that will help their futures,” said Minister Grima.

Since its launch in December 2023, the initiative has expanded significantly, benefiting over 27,000 children across state, Church and independent schools, with more than 108,000 books distributed nationwide.

The programme will continue throughout Malta and Gozo, ensuring young learners have access to quality reading material that nurtures curiosity, imagination and a lifelong appreciation for books.

#MaltaDaily