The Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, through the National Literacy Agency, is implementing the Books Are Children’s Friends / Il-Kotba Ħbieb tat-Tfal initiative for the 2025–2026 scholastic year. This initiative is intended for primary school students and, in this cycle, age-appropriate books are being distributed to Year 1 pupils. Every child is receiving books in both Maltese and English to support their early steps in reading and bilingualism, as well as to help them start or continue building their own personal library.
Since this initiative was launched in December 2023, following a commitment outlined in the Electoral Manifesto, it has continued to grow and widen its reach. To date, more than 27,000 children attending state, church, and independent schools from Year 1 to Year 6 have benefited from the programme, with over 108,000 books distributed nationwide. This sustained investment underscores the vital role of literacy in children’s educational development.
The distribution for the current scholastic year was marked by a special event held at the Archbishop’s Minor Seminary in Rabat on Monday, 15 December 2025, attended by the Minister, Dr Clifton Grima. Reading Ambassadors Carlos Farrugia, Ruth Frendo, Saviour Darmanin and Joe Grech visited Year 1 classrooms and read excerpts with pupils to spark their enthusiasm for stories and storytelling, creating engaging moments centred around reading.
Throughout the 2025–2026 scholastic year, the Books Are Children’s Friends initiative will continue reaching children in Year 1 across Malta and Gozo, in an effort to ensure that young learners have access to quality reading materials that foster curiosity, imagination, and a lasting appreciation for books.
Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation Clifton Grima announces distribution of books
