Education Minister Evarist Bartolo today challenged students to read at least five books during summer. 

It is a well-known fact that children and teenagers need to keep on reading for pleasure during summer in order to sustain the abilities and skills they have acquired throughout the school year.

Research shows that:

·         Students who read over the summer recess do better in school.

·         Students who do not read over the summer recess demonstrate up to two months of academic loss.

·         Students who read for fun outperform those who do not.

·         Students read more when they can choose their own books.

·         Reading at least 5 books over the summer period can prevent academic loss.

·         By the end of primary school, children who do not read over the summer period are two years behind the other children in academic achievement.

In the light of the above-mentioned points, this summer the Ministry for Education and Employment is launching the campaign ‘Aqra fis-Sajf’, so as to encourage all children and students to read as much as possible. For this campaign to be a success, students need to have access to books. In order to ensure this the following initiatives have been taken:

1.      Weekly reading sessions, in Maltese and English, are being held at Skolasajf centres by animators that have been trained by the National Literacy Agency.

2.      The National Literacy Agency is currently running the literacy programme ‘Aqra Miegħi/Read with Me’ in 50 localities, and ‘Seħer L-Istejjer’ in 40 localities across Malta and Gozo.

3.      The Department of Curriculum Management has issued a circular to all educators and parents with reading lists in Maltese and English for children from 0 to 16 years old, and a set of guidelines on reading for parents.

4.      The school library of the Co-ed. Middle schools in Naxxar and Tarxien, and the secondary schools in Kirkop (boys), Hamrun (boys, ex Adelaide Cini), Hamrun (boys, Lyceum), Mosta (girls and boys), Naxxar (boys), Santa Luċija (girls), Sliema (boys), Verdala (boys), Żejtun (girls), and Rabat Gozo (boys), are offering their services once a week to their respective students.

5.      Malta Libraries has increased the days and opening hours of public libraries in 22 localities.

6.      Students who require help in reading are attending Klabbsajf, and are following a guided reading programme. These sessions are being held in 9 localities where the Nwar programme of The National Literacy Agency is run.

7.      Reading Ambassadors will be visiting a number of Skolasajf centres, run by the Foundation for Educational Services, where they will be promoting reading through story telling sessions.

8.      The Minister for Education, Evarist Bartolo challenged students to read at least five books during summer.  Students have been asked to record the book titles on specifically prepared bookmarks. Books will be awarded to a number of students.

This campaign is being organized by The National Literacy Agency, with the collaboration of the Foundation for Educational Services, Malta Libraries and the Directorates of Education of the Ministry for Education and Employment. Should you require further information on this campaign you may visit the Facebook page ‘Aqra fis-Sajf’.