Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698137054008.pdf (Malta)
The National Literacy Agency Ministry for Education Annual Report 2020 Contents 1.

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 4 2.
Programmes ................................................................................................................................................... 5 2.1 Aqra Miegħi/Read with Me ............................................................................................................................ 5 2.1.1 Information sessions for Parents/Caregivers about Early Literacy ............................................................... 8 2.2 Seħer l-Istejjer/The Magic of Stories ............................................................................................................... 9 2.3 Gost il-Qari/The Pleasure of Reading ........................................................................................................... 13 2.4 Naqraw Flimkien/Let’s Read Together ......................................................................................................... 16 2.5 The Nwar Family Literacy Programme ......................................................................................................... 17 2.6 Klabb Naħla................................................................................................................................................... 21 2.7 Reading Recovery ........................................................................................................................................ 24 2.8 Reading Ambassadors ................................................................................................................................... 27 2.9 Aqra Kemm Tiflaħ/Enriching Classroom Libraries ........................................................................................ 30 2.10 The Malta Writing Programme ..................................................................................................................... 34 2.11 Footballers’ Read and Write Programme ..................................................................................................... 36 2.12 Il-Promoturi tal-Qari/Reading Champions ................................................................................................... 39 2.13 Għidli Storja/Tell Me a Story........................................................................................................................ 40 2.14 Storytelling Schools ..................................................................................................................................... 41 3.
NLA Summer Programmes........................................................................................................................... 43 3.1 Aqra fis-Sajf…...............................................................................................................................................43 3.1.1 Celebration Ceremonies .............................................................................................................................. 46 3.3 Klabbsajf ...................................................................................................................................................... 46 3.4 SURF ............................................................................................................................................................. 47 3.5 FRWP Summer one-off fixtures ................................................................................................................... 48 4.
Projects ......................................................................................................................................................... 49 4.1 Brillantini tal-Qari/Reading Stars .................................................................................................................. 49 4.2 Raddiena kliem/Spell it out ........................................................................................................................... 51 4.3 Children in Social Difficulties, Scheme 9 - Home Libraries/ Librerija f’Kull Dar ............................................. 52 4.4 The Symbol Literacy Project ......................................................................................................................... 55 4.5 Brillantini tal-Kitba/Writing Stars.................................................................................................................. 56 4.6 Ismagħni Naqra/Talking Books Project ........................................................................................................ 61 4.7 Ir-Rimonta ..................................................................................................................................................... 61 Schemes ....................................................................................................................................................... 61 5.
5.1 L-Għodda f’Idejk ............................................................................................................................................. 61 5.2 Bil-Ħila Tagħkom ........................................................................................................................................... 62 5.3 Bis-Sehem Tagħkom/Promoting Good Practice ............................................................................................. 63 5.4 Books are your Bestfriend!
............................................................................................................................ 65 5.5 Little Stars Library ......................................................................................................................................... 65 6.
Units ............................................................................................................................................................. 66 6.1 The Literacy and Support Unit (LISU) ............................................................................................................ 66 7.1.1 World Book Day ........................................................................................................................................... 68 2 7.1.2 Book Champion Schools ............................................................................................................................... 70 7.1.3 Teacher-Librarian Meetings ....................................................................................................................... 72 7.2 The Language in Education Policy Unit .......................................................................................................... 72 7.2.1 Research Output .......................................................................................................................................... 74 7.2.2 The European Day of Languages ................................................................................................................. 74 7.2.3 Bilingual glossary for Mathematics ............................................................................................................. 74 7.2.4 The National Literacy Strategy .................................................................................................................... 75 7.3 Literacy Resource Centres .............................................................................................................................. 75 7.
Continuous Professional Development (CPD) sessions .............................................................................. 75 7.1 At National Level ............................................................................................................................................ 75 7.2 Aqra Miegħi/Read with Me Programme Training Sessions............................................................................76 7.3 Ġenituri l-Ewwel Għalliema/Parents the First Teachers ............................................................................... 76 7.4 Collaboration with the Institute for Education .............................................................................................. 76 8.
Sponsorships and Agreement ....................................................................................................................... 77 9.

Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................................... 78 3 1.
Introduction The National Literacy Agency (NLA), of the Ministry for Education and Employment, seeks to promote and sustain lifelong and life-wide, high quality, literacy practices among children, youth, adults, migrants, and persons with learning difficulties.

It strives also to improve literacy outcomes, resulting in inclusive practices, higher educational qualifications, and better job prospects.
The Agency was established in September 2014 to promote and ensure the delivery of the different aspects of the National Literacy Strategy for All in Malta and Gozo, and serve as a main driver in the field of literacy (Legal Notice 192/2014).

The Agency promotes: • Social inclusion • Literate communities • Participatory democracy • Bilingualism • Biliteracy • Parental empowerment • Literacy across the curriculum and • Balanced Literacy teaching and learning.
The main initiatives undertaken by the National Literacy Agency since the launch of the Strategy in June 2014 include, amongst others: • Family literacy programmes: Aqra Miegħi/Read with Me, Seħer l-Istejjer/The Magic of Stories, Gost il-Qari/The Pleasure of Reading, Nwar, The Malta Writing Programme clubs and activities; • Book-rich environments: Aqra Kemm Tiflaħ, L-Għodda f’Idejk, Bis-Sehem Tagħkom; • Reading campaigns including Reading Ambassador activities, Aqra fis-Sajf, Qaritona/Readathon • and Brillantini tal-Qari/Reading Stars and Book and Reading Champions initiatives; Innovative Literacy Programmes: Bil-Qari u l-Kitba Niskorja/Footballers Read and Write Programme (FRWP), Reading Recovery (in collaboration with University college, London), Storytelling Schools, Malta and Brillantini tal-Kitba/Writing Stars initiative and Klabb Naħla; • Literacy Resource Centres, • College-based Literacy teams and, • A Whole-School Approach to Literacy.
COVID-19 UNESCO has declared the COVID-19 pandemic as the most severe disruption to global education systems in history, forcing more than 1.6 billion learners in more than 190 countries out of school because of the crisis.

It threatens the future of a generation with 24 million children and youth at risk of dropping out.

Many schools and other educational institutions discontinued in-person teaching and moved to remote learning to contain the spread of COVID-19.
More vulnerable students, such as those from low socio-economic backgrounds, are especially more likely to fall behind.

The increased disparity, in abilities, that is likely to emerge during the COVID-19 pandemic may have important consequences in the short and long-term.

In Malta in-person schooling was discontinued in March 2020 and resumed in October 2020 with limitations.
The Agency will continue to seek to address the inequalities caused by COVID-19 by implementing several mitigating measures as shown throughout this report.

Several actions to 4 address this situation are being taken to support the “recovery curriculum” and literacy catch-up programmes to contain the effects of the pandemic.

2.

Programmes 2.1 Aqra Miegħi/Read with Me The Aqra Miegħi/Read with Me is an early literacy programme intended for children aged between 0 and 3 years and their parents/caregivers.
Each session features the sharing of storybooks, the singing of nursery rhymes and other fun activities for this age group.

One-hour sessions are held at no charge once a week in a range of centres.

This bilingual programme is run by the Agency in collaboration with the Centre for Literacy of the University of Malta, supported by Malta Libraries and partially sponsored by Bank of Valletta.
The main objectives of the programme are to promote the love of books and develop children’s imagination through fun and stimulating play activities, with the involvement of parents/caregivers.

The development of oracy skills and concepts about print are encouraged.

Parents/caregivers are made aware of the benefits of sharing books with their children every day.
In 2020, the Aqra Miegħi/Read with Me sessions ran from the beginning of January until the middle of March, when they had to be stopped due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During this period there were 70 Aqra Miegħi centres across Malta and Gozo, and the programme was organised in the following localities: Ħ’Attard, Baħrija, Birkirkara, Birżebbuġa, Cospicua, Ħad-Dingli, Fgura, Floriana, Gudja, Għajnsielem, Għarb, Ħal Għargħur, Ħal Għaxaq, Gżira, Ħamrun, Ta’ Kerċem, Ħal Kirkop, Ħal Luqa, Marsa, Marsaskala, Marsaxlokk, Mellieħa, Mġarr, Mosta, Mqabba, Msida, Mtarfa, Munxar, Nadur, Naxxar, Pembroke, Qala, Qawra, Ħal Qormi, Qrendi, Rabat, Ħal Safi, San Ġwann, San Lawrenz, Sannat, Santa Luċija, Senglea, Siġġiewi, Tas-Sliema, St Julian’s, St Paul’s Bay, Swieqi, Ħal Tarxien, Valletta, Vittoriosa, Xagħra, Xewkija, Xgħajra, Ħaż-Żabbar, Ħaż-Żebbuġ, Żebbuġ Gozo, Żejtun, Żurrieq.
From January until mid-March, 63 Aqra Miegħi/Read with Me sessions were organised in 6 Foundation for Educational Services (FES) childcare centres and during this period, this programme was also organised in 2 residential homes to reach vulnerable children.

In 2020, 866 Aqra Miegħi sessions were organised reaching 1,487 individual children.

1,066 parents/carers accompanied the children.

217 children participated in both Maltese and English sessions.

Detailed information may be viewed in Tables 1 and 2.
2020 Boys Girls Total Maltese sessions 302 301 603 English sessions 572 529 1101 Table 1: Aqra Miegħi/Read with Me sessions, 2020 Table 2 indicates the number of children who participated in the Read with Me programme during the first 3 months of 2020.
5 2020 January February March Boys Girls Children 531 498 243 499 521 246 1,030 1,019 489 Table 2a: Aqra Miegħi/Read with Me monthly attendance (individual children), 2020 Month January February March Parents/Caregivers 779 774 388 Table 2b: Aqra Miegħi/Read with Me monthly attendance (individual parents/caregivers), 2020 2020 January February March Boys Girls Children 181 185 122 176 197 110 357 382 232 Table 2c: Aqra Miegħi/Read with Me monthly attendance Maltese sessions (individual children), 2020 2020 January February March Boys Girls Children 389 341 144 353 356 152 742 697 296 Table 2d: Aqra Miegħi/Read with Me monthly attendance English sessions (individual children), 2020 Table 3 shows the number of babies/toddlers and adults who participated in the Aqra Miegħi/Read with Me Programme in 2020.
The figures refer to the actual headcount per session not the number of individual persons as in Tables 1 and 2.
2020 January Children Mothers Fathers Grandparents Sessions 2,373 1,658 February 2,367 1,706 March Total 703 497 5,443 3,861 114 108 19 241 238 222 61 521 353 349 164 866 Table 3a: Aqra Miegħi/Read with Me attendance (actual headcount) per month in Malta and Gozo, 2020 6 2020 Children Mothers Fathers Grandparents Sessions January February March Total 2,176 2,186 620 1,519 1,571 452 4,982 3,542 100 104 19 223 192 181 49 422 307 308 125 740 Table 3b: Aqra Miegħi/Read with Me attendance (actual headcount) per month (Malta), 2020 2020 Children Mothers Fathers Grandparents Sessions January February March Total 197 123 83 403 139 92 45 276 14 3 0 17 46 30 12 88 46 28 39 113 Table 3c: Aqra Miegħi/Read with Me attendance (actual headcount) per month (Gozo), 2020 During these three months, the Agency collaborated with Ronald McDonald House Charities and started Legge Con Me to reach the Italian community in Qawra.
40 children and their parents/caregivers participated in this new initiative.

As the Aqra Miegħi/Read with Me centres closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Agency came up with alternative ways to reach families through the Aqra Miegħi/Read with Me programme.

Live videos of read-aloud sessions were uploaded on the programme’s Facebook page.

The videos feature the reading of stories in an interactive and entertaining way to stimulate the imagination of children and motivate them to read.
Since the beginning of April, 4 videos were uploaded daily throughout the pandemic.

927 videos were uploaded from April to December.

These video clips registered 770,293 reaches and 197,233 views.

Further details may be viewed in the Table 4.
2020 April May June July August September October November December Total Videos Post Reach Views Table 4: Aqra Miegħi/Read with Me online reading sessions, 2020 7 2.1.1 Information sessions for Parents/Caregivers about Early Literacy The Agency liaised with Primary Health Care professionals and provided information sessions to parents/caregivers of new-born babies at the Well Baby Clinic.
The aim of this initiative was to raise awareness of early literacy practices and the Aqra Miegħi/Read with Me programme, encouraging parents/caregivers to attend storytelling sessions, and to read aloud to their babies at home.

These information sessions were only provided between January and mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Agency also collaborated with Parentcraft Services, delivering talks at Mater Dei Hospital and the Central Hospital, Gozo about the importance of reading aloud to babies.
These sessions are intended for groups of expectant parents and groups of parents/caregivers of new-born babies.

Due to COVID- 19 restrictions face-to-face sessions were offered online on Microsoft Teams.

These online sessions were held in Maltese and English.

Families were encouraged to attend both information sessions.

Those who did received a pack of literacy resources they could use with their baby.
Each pack consisted of 3 picture books for babies, 3 information books with guidelines on how to read with babies and toddlers and how to foster a love of reading, a CD with Maltese nursery rhymes, alphabet flashcards, bookmarks with literacy messages, information leaflets about read-aloud programmes and guidelines for parents and a puppet for use during reading.

129 families received these packs.

Further information may be found in Tables 5 and 6.
2020 January February Mach Total Adults Sessions 784 501 309 47 37 24 1,594 108 Table 5: Well Baby Clinic information sessions, 2020 2020 Adults Families January February Mach Total 25 31 23 79 18 25 16 59 Table 6a: Parentcraft information sessions at Mater Dei Hospital, 2020 2020 October November December Adults Families 37 71 20 37 71 20 Total 128 128 Table 6b: Parentcraft information online sessions, 2020 8 Sponsorship Malta Libraries has sponsored the Aqra Miegħi/Read with Me programme since May 2015 and has annually contributed €45,000 for the remuneration of reading animators.
Since March 2015, Bank of Valletta has been the official partner of the Aqra Miegħi/Read with Me programme.

2.2 Seħer l-Istejjer/The Magic of Stories Seħer l-Istejjer/The Magic of Stories is a family literacy programme intended for children aged 4 to 7 and their parents/caregivers.

This bilingual programme is run by the Agency, in collaboration with the Centre for Literacy of the University of Malta and supported by Malta Libraries.
The primary objective of the programme is to promote a love of books among children through the involvement of their parents/caregivers.

Children are motivated to read books and parents/caregivers are shown how to share books with their children in an effective manner.

One-hour sessions are held in literacy-rich environments, such as in public libraries, schools, and gardens, on a weekly basis.
Stories are read out to stimulate children’s imagination, provide learning opportunities for both children and their parents/caregivers.

The foundations are laid for children to become enthusiastic readers.
During January, February, March and July 2020, there were 64 Seħer l-Istejjer centres across Malta and Gozo offering the service in the following localities: Ħ’Attard, Baħrija, Birkirkara, Birżebbuġa, Burmarrad, Ħad-Dingli, Fgura, Gudja, Għajnsielem, Ħal Għargħur, Ħal Għaxaq, Gżira, Ħamrun, Kalkara, Ta’ Kerċem, Ħal Kirkop, Ħal Lija/ Ħal Balzan/Iklin, Ħal Luqa, Marsa, Marsaskala, Marsaxlokk, Mellieħa, Mosta, Mqabba, Mtarfa, Nadur, Naxxar, Paola, Pembroke, Tal-Pietà, Qala, Ħal Qormi, Qawra, Rabat, Ħal Safi, San Ġwann, Santa Venera, Senglea, Siġġiewi, Tas-Sliema, St Julian’s, St Paul’s Bay, Ħal Tarxien, Victoria, Vittoriosa, Xagħra, Xemxija, Xewkija, Ħaż- Żabbar, Ħaż-Żebbuġ, Żebbuġ Gozo, Żejtun, and Żurrieq.
2,223 individual children benefitted from the Seħer l-Istejjer/The Magic of Stories programme delivered in schools and the community as indicated in Table 7.
2020 Boys Girls Total Children 1,147 1,076 2,223 Table 7: Seħer l-Istejjer/The Magic of Stories individual children, 2020 2020 January February March July Boys Girls Children 337 617 319 140 326 565 565 146 663 1,182 884 286 Table 8a: Seħer l-Istejjer/The Magic of Stories monthly attendance (individual children), 2020 465 parents/caregivers participated in the Seħer l-Istejjer/The Magic of Stories programme in 2020 as can be viewed in Table 8b.
9 2020 Parents/Caregivers January February March 244 291 101 Table 8b: Seħer l-Istejjer/The Magic of Stories monthly attendance (individual parents/caregivers), 2020 Table 9 highlights the number of participants, children, and adults, who participated in these sessions throughout 2020.

The figures refer to the actual headcount per session, not the number of individual persons as in Tables 8.
In July, the NLA in collaboration with the FES delivered Seħer l-Istejjer/The Magic of Stories sessions in Skolasajf centres.
2020 January February March July Total Children Mothers Fathers Grandparents Sessions 364 513 131 25 49 2 36 58 24 1,630 1,950 856 921 5,357 1,008 76 118 184 256 107 161 708 Table 9: Seħer l-Istejjer/The Magic of Stories attendance (actual headcount) per month in Malta and Gozo, 2020 2020 January February March July Total Children Mothers Fathers Grandparents Sessions 319 475 106 1,330 1,805 747 807 4,689 900 21 45 0 66 26 56 19 101 144 221 89 141 595 Table 10a: Seħer l-Istejjer/The Magic of Stories attendance (actual headcount) per month (Malta), 2020 2020 January February March July Total Children Mothers Fathers Grandparents Sessions 300 145 109 114 668 45 38 25 4 4 2 108 10 10 2 5 17 40 35 18 20 113 Table 10b: Seħer l-Istejjer/The Magic of Stories attendance (actual headcount) per month (Gozo), 2020 In October 2020, due to COVID-19 restrictions Seħer l-Istejjer/The Magic of Stories sessions were delivered online to students in both physical and virtual schools.
This programme was delivered online to 41 primary schools: 40 state schools and 1 church school.

Details are highlighted in Table 11.
10 Seħer l-Istejjer Ħ’Attard Primary School Pembroke Primary School Ħal Balzan/Iklin/Lija Primary School Qala Primary School Birżebbuġa Primary School Ħal Qormi SG Primary School Ħad-Dingli Primary School Rabat Primary School Gżira Primary School San Ġwann Primary School Ħal Għaxaq Primary School Ta’ Sannat Primary School Ħaż-Żebbuġ Primary School St Julian’s Primary School Kalkara Primary School St Paul's Bay Primary School Ħal Kirkop Primary School Santa Venera Primary School Ħal Luqa Primary School Victoria Primary School Marsa Primary School Xgħajra Primary School Marsaskala St Anne Primary School Ħaż-Żabbar A Primary School Marsaskala St Joachim Primary School Ħaż-Żebbuġ Primary School Mellieħa Primary School Żejtun A Primary School Mġarr Primary School St Theresa School, Gozo Msida Primary School Magic of Stories Gżira Primary San Lawrenz Primary School Ħamrun GP Primary School Senglea Primary School Ta’ Kerċem Primary School Tas-Sliema Primary School Marsaskala St Anne Primary School Xewkija Primary School Paola Primary School Qala Primary School Qawra Primary School Xagħra Primary School Ħaż-Żebbuġ Primary School, Gozo Table 11: Seħer l-Istejjer/The Magic of Stories online reading sessions, 2020 11 1,824 children benefitted from these online sessions; 1,098 children participated in Seħer l-Istejjer sessions (Maltese) and 726 children participated in The Magic of Stories sessions (English).
2020 Maltese English Total Children 1,098 726 1,824 Table 12a: Seħer l-Istejjer/The Magic of Stories online sessions (individual children), 2020 2020 October November December Children Adults Sessions 556 1,824 1,498 87 242 220 44 97 87 Table 12b: Seħer l-Istejjer/The Magic of Stories online sessions, monthly attendance (individual children), 2020 Table 13 highlights the number of participants, children, and adults, who participated in these online sessions during the months of October, November, and December.
The figures refer to the attendance (headcount) per session, not the number of individual persons as in Tables 12.

2020 October November December Total Children Adults Sessions 735 5,055 2,446 8,236 111 608 340 1,059 60 257 122 439 Table 13: Seħer l-Istejjer/The Magic of Stories online sessions attendance (actual headcount) 2020 12 When schools closed due to COVID-19 pandemic in mid-March, 4 live videos were uploaded daily on the programme’s Facebook page.

928 videos were uploaded from April to December.


These live video clips registered 312,328 reaches and 91,430 views.

Further details may be viewed in the Table 14.
2020 April May June July August September October November December Total Videos Post Reach Views Table 14: Seħer l-Istejjer/The Magic of Stories online reading sessions, 2020 2.3 Gost il-Qari/The Pleasure of Reading Gost il-Qari/The Pleasure of Reading is a reading for fun programme for children aged between 7 and 11.
The programme consists of one-hour weekly storytelling sessions that feature the sharing of stories and books, and other fun activities for this age group.

This programme enhances the child’s reading abilities and understanding.

Reading animators encourage children to predict the story using rich oral language.

Children are invited to express themselves through reading aloud, discussions, role play and other activities.
Through this multisensory methodology, children understand that stories are made up of a sequence of events and at times pose a problem.

As a group, they debate potential resolutions to resolve the problem.

During January, February, March and July, there were 45 Gost il-Qari centres across Malta and Gozo, i.e.
Ħ’Attard, Birkirkara, Burmarrad, Ħad-Dingli, Fgura, Ħal Għaxaq, Gudja, Gżira, Ħamrun, Kalkara, Ta’ Kerċem, Ħal Kirkop, Ħal Lija, Ħal Luqa, Marsa, Marsaskala, Mellieħa, Mosta, Mġarr, Mqabba, Nadur, Paola, Pembroke, Tal-Pietà, Qala, Ħal Qormi, Rabat, San Ġwann, Ħal Safi, Ta’ Sannat, Senglea, Siġġiewi, Tas-Sliema, St Paul’s Bay, Santa Venera, Ħal Tarxien, Valletta, Vittoriosa, Victoria, Xewkija, Xagħra, Ħaż-Żabbar and Żebbuġ Gozo.
3,773 children benefitted from the Gost il-Qari programme as indicated in the Tables 15a and 15b.

Table 15c shows the number of children who participated in the sessions in 2020.
2019 Boys Girls Total Children 436 394 830 Table 15a: Gost il-Qari/The Pleasure of Reading sessions individual children 2020 13 2020 January February March July Total Boys Girls Children 225 309 56 150 740 202 282 50 166 700 427 591 106 316 1,440 Table 15b: Gost il-Qari/The Pleasure of Reading (individual children), 2020 2020 January February March July Total Children Adults Sessions 815 910 113 389 24 106 13 0 58 63 12 74 2,227 143 207 Table 15c: Gost il-Qari/The Pleasure of Reading attendance (actual headcount), 2020 During October, November, and December, due to COVID-19 restrictions Gost il-Qari/The Pleasure of Reading sessions were delivered online to classes in physical and virtual schools.
This online programme was delivered to 31 primary schools: namely 30 state schools and 1 church school.
Gost il-Qari Ħ’Attard Primary School Siġġiewi Primary School Floriana Primary School St Julian's Primary School Għajnsielem Primary School Valletta Primary School Ħal Lija/Balzan/Iklin Primary School Xgħajra Primary School Mellieħa Primary School Xagħra Primary School Mosta B Primary School Żejtun B Primary School Mtarfa Primary School Laura Vicuna Church School, Gozo Ta’ Sannat Primary School Reading for Pleasure Birkirkara Primary School Qawra Primary School Għargħur Primary School San Lawrenz Primary School Gżira Primary School Senglea Primary School Ħamrun GP Primary School Tas-Sliema Primary School Ta’ Kerċem Primary School St Paul's Bay Primary School Marsa Primary School St Julian's Primary School Marsaskala St Anne Primary School Xewkija Primary School 14 Paola Primary School Ħaż-Żebbuġ Primary School, Gozo Qala Primary School Table 16: Gost il-Qari/The Pleasure of Reading online reading sessions, 2020 311 children viewed the Maltese sessions and 387 children followed the English sessions.
2020 Maltese English Total Children 311 387 698 Table 17a: Gost il-Qari/The Pleasure of Reading online sessions (individual children), 2020 2020 October November December Children Adults Sessions 323 614 698 47 57 104 208 25 26 41 92 Total: 1,635 Table 17b: Gost il-Qari/The Pleasure of Reading online sessions monthly attendance (individual children), 2020 Table 18 highlights the number of participants, children, and adults, who participated in these online sessions during the months of October, November, and December.
The figures refer to the attendance (headcount) per session, not the number of individual persons as in Tables 18.

2020 October November December Total Children Adults Sessions 451 1,641 1,498 3,590 59 183 220 462 36 82 87 205 Table 18: Gost il-Qari/The Pleasure of Reading online sessions attendance (actual headcount), 2020 15 When schools closed due to COVID-19 pandemic in mid-March, live videos were uploaded daily on the programme’s Facebook page.

417 videos were uploaded from April to December.


These video clips registered 61,667 reaches and 19,935 views.

Further details may be viewed in Table 19.
2020 April May June July August September October November December Total Videos Post Reach Views Table 19: Gost il-Qari/The Pleasure of Reading online reading sessions, 2020 2.4 Naqraw Flimkien/Let’s Read Together Naqraw Flimkien/Let’s Read Together sessions are ad hoc reading for pleasure sessions for children aged 0 to 11 and their parents/caregivers.
These sessions feature the sharing of storybooks, singing of nursery rhymes and other fun activities, and are offered on demand.

These events are organised by the Agency in collaboration with local councils, NGOs, and other entities upon request.

In 2020, 6 sessions were delivered with a total of 106 children participating.

These sessions were held in collaboration with the Central Public Library, Malta Libraries.
2020 January Total Children Adults Sessions 106 106 10 10 6 6 Table 20: Naqraw Flimkien/Let’s Read Together attendance (actual headcount) per month, 2020 Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Naqraw Flimkien sessions in public spaces had to be stopped.

To replace these sessions, the Agency, in collaboration with the Public Broadcasting Services, started to transmit daily story-reading sessions on TVM with a repetition on TVM2.

From April to December, 188 episodes were aired.


the Agency Naqraw Flimkien/Let’s Read Together Virtual Library recorded In November, reading sessions targeting children aged 0 to 11 years.

These sessions were produced in English and Maltese by the Agency’s reading animators.

59 families participated in this initiative and borrowed these recordings for a 3-hour timeframe.
206 clips were borrowed throughout November and December: details in Table 21. launched a virtual video library comprising 600 16 2020 November December Total English Maltese 66 38 104 67 35 102 Table 21: Naqraw Flimkien/Let's Read Together virtual library, 2020 2.5 The Nwar Family Literacy Programme Nwar is an after-school, family literacy programme supported by Book Distributors Limited, for primary school pupils who have not acquired the required basic skills level by the end of Year 3.
The rationale of the Nwar programme is to support students with literacy difficulties to acquire basic literacy skills by the end of Year 6.

Dedicated literacy tutors who have followed a professional development course in literacy, provide systematic literacy intervention to children (8 to 10 years) with literacy difficulties, as well as encourage, upskill and motivate parents/guardians to support their children to become confident readers and writers.
Multisensory sessions are held twice a week in 16 regional centres spread out across Malta and Gozo in normal circumstances.

However, this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the programme was adapted due to the circumstantial realities faced and it was restructured to an online programme.

The methodology of the Nwar programme is characterised by explicit skill and systematic instruction.

Furthermore, this programme ensures that students are engaged in their learning.
The leading principles of this programme include teaching using a multisensory approach and accruing skills learnt in context through authentic texts.

It encompasses an authentic approach that honours diversity as it integrates various modalities of literacy instruction to reinforce each other and enables children to make meaning through texts.
Nwar tutors work with a maximum of four learners and implement a well-planned comprehensive literacy scaffolded programme, whereby opportunities for the child to learn through many different components of literacy are presented.

Through a systematic approach, planning is based on what the child already knows.

The programme provides both adult-initiated and child-initiated activities to support the development of those relationships and to increase the motivation to learn for both the adult and the child.
Ongoing assessments and evaluations are conducted and recorded to ensure the progress of each child and centre administrators continuously monitor and discuss children’s progress.

At the end of each semester, the progress of each student is discussed and evaluated, and individual plans are set for each student.

17 In the first 3 months of 2020, there were 16 regional centres providing the Nwar programme within the 10 college-based system, as shown in Table 22, before it was provided online.
College Primary School St Margaret Cospicua Ħaż-Żabbar B St Benedict Żurrieq San Ġorġ Preca Paola B St Ignatius Ħal Qormi SB St Clare San Ġwann Gżira Naxxar Marija Reġina Mosta B St Paul’s Bay St Nicholas Rabat St Theresa St Thomas More Gozo Birkirkara Santa Venera Żejtun B Marsaskala Ta’ Sannat Table 22: Nwar programme centres, 2020 Table 23a shows the number of families who participated in Nwar sessions per semester within each Nwar centre in 2020.
197 students and their families benefitted from this programme in February and March 2020.

These sessions were held in the centres until the pandemic breakout.

The Sta.

Venera centre was not operative during this period since the tutors were out on long sick leave.
Centre Cospicua Ħaż-Żabbar B Żurrieq Paola Ħal Qormi SB San Ġwann Gżira Naxxar Mosta St Paul’s Bay Students/Families 13 20 13 22 11 20 9 11 13 6 18 Rabat, Malta Birkirkara Santa Venera Żejtun Marsaskala Gozo Total 7 13 14 5 20 197 Table 23a: Nwar face-to-face sessions (pupils and families’ attendance), January - March 2020 As a response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the National Literacy Agency set up an online intervention programme.
Induction sessions were provided to tutors and a reduced version of the session plan was adopted.

20-minute sessions were organised twice weekly on a one-to–one basis instead of in groups.

The outcome was extremely successful with 95% of the students following online sessions regularly.

Many tutors increased the teaching time due to the flexibility provided when working online from home.

This resulted in Nwar provision being offered to students on the waiting list.
187 participated in the online sessions between March and June.

Further details in Table 23b.
Malta Mosta 10 Ħ’Attard Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq Ħal Balzan Birkirkara Birżebbuġa Cospicua Buġibba Burmarrad Buskett Fgura Floriana Ħal Għargħur Ħal Għaxaq Gudja Gżira Ħamrun Ibraġ Senglea Kalkara Ħal Kirkop 3 1 1 2 7 4 2 1 1 Marsasklala Msida Mtarfa Naxxar Paola Pembroke Qawra Ħal Qormi 16 Rabat 1 1 3 3 3 1 2 2 3 1 Ħal Safi San Ġwann Siġġiewi Tas-Sliema St Julian’s St Paul's Bay Santa Venera Swatar Swieqi Ta' Xbiex 5 2 1 2 4 2 2 6 2 1 8 2 2 2 7 1 1 2 1 19 Ħal Luqa Madliena Marsa Marsaxlokk Mellieħa Mġarr Total Fontana Għajnsielem Għasri Munxar Nadur Total 2 1 1 5 4 4 2 3 1 1 3 Ħal Tarxien Ħaż-Żabbar Ħaż-Żebbuġ Żejtun Żurrieq Gozo Qala Ta’ Sannat Victoria Xewkija Xlendi 6 14 2 5 3 168 2 2 2 2 1 19 Table 23b: Nwar online sessions (pupils’ attendance), March - June 2020 207 students participated in online sessions between October and December.
During this period, there was an increase in student intake and in tutor participation.

Additional training and resources were provided to tutors and the online programme was fine-tuned.

An online assessment was also included to ensure programme effectiveness.
Ħ’Attard Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq Ħal Balzan Birkirkara Birżebbuġa Cospicua Buġibba Burmarrad Fgura Ħal Għargħur Ħal Għaxaq Gudja Gżira Ħamrun Iklin Senglea Kalkara Malta 4 1 1 3 9 4 2 2 Marsaxlokk Naxxar Paola Pembroke Tal-Pietà Qawra Ħal Qormi Rabat, Malta 17 Ħal Safi 2 3 2 2 4 1 3 2 San Ġwann Siġġiewi Tas- Sliema St Julian’s St Paul's Bay Santa Venera Swatar Swieqi 4 7 3 3 1 1 9 4 1 7 6 2 1 4 3 1 2 20 Ħal Luqa Manikata Marsa Mellieħa Mġarr Mosta Marsaskala Msida Mtarfa Total Fontana Għajnsielem Għasri Qala Total 2 2 2 2 3 Ta' Xbiex Ħal Tarxien Xemxija Xgħajra Ħaż-Żabbar 17 Ħaż-Żebbuġ Żejtun Żurrieq 4 1 1 Gozo 1 2 1 2 Ta’ Sannat Victoria Xewkija Xlendi 1 6 1 2 14 6 6 5 196 1 1 2 1 11 Table 23c: Nwar online sessions (pupils’ attendance), October - December 2020 2.6 Klabb Naħla Klabb Naħla is an after-school literacy intervention programme for primary school children in Years 2 to Year 6 supported by Klabb Kotba Maltin.
Children are identified by their respective schools and offered the programme.

Participating children benefit from additional literacy support to consolidate their reading and writing skills through a balanced literacy and hands-on multi-sensory approach which includes tackling key areas of phonological awareness, phonics, reading fluency and comprehension, writing and oracy.
Sessions are held twice or three times weekly and are delivered by educators who work within the same school, either during the breakfast club or after-school hours.

This programme has different sub-programmes.

Klabb Naħla targets Year 2 to Year 5 students with literacy difficulties or students who have a deprived home environment and it is offered in English or Maltese.

Klabb Naħla Bieżla targets Year 6 students, particularly migrant learners, who need to learn Maltese as a foreign language.
In January 2020, Klabb Naħla started as planned, however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic which led to school closure, sessions were delivered online from March onwards.

January to March 2020 – school-based face-to face-sessions: During this period, Klabb Naħla was organised in 4 schools with 51 pupils benefitting from the service, 46 pupils were supported through Klabb Naħla and 5 students were supported through Klabb Naħla Bieżla.
21 Primary School Boys Girls Children Ħamrun Marsa Xgħajra Żejtun Total 6 3 12 8 29 3 4 6 4 17 9 7 18 12 46 Table 24a: Klabb Naħla (pupils’ attendance), January - March 2020 Primary School Boys Girls Children Marsa 2 3 5 Table 24b: Klabb Naħla Bieżla (pupils’ attendance), January - March 2020 March to June 2020 – online sessions In March 2020, schools were closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

As a response to the pandemic, the programme was set-up online.
Induction sessions were provided to educators to teach online and training using MS Teams was organised.

In addition, a reduced version of the session plan was presented.

This move to online provision required access to digital books and remote coordination with parents/caregivers and students.

Sessions were delivered one-to-one instead of in groups and provision for each student was of 20 minutes per session, twice weekly.
During this period, 7 schools signed up for the online service, as shown in Table 24c.

Considering the unexpected closure of schools and the immediate shift of programmes from face-to-face to online, it was encouraging that during the COVID-19 pandemic 62 students participated in this programme.
Primary School Boys Girls Children Xgħajra Ħad-Dingli Fgura Marsaskala Tas-Sliema Ħal Tarxien Żurrieq Total 9 2 4 5 6 2 6 6 1 3 3 5 3 7 34 28 15 3 7 8 11 5 13 62 Table 24c: Klabb Naħla online provision (pupils’ attendance), March - June 2020 July to September 2020 – online sessions Klabb Naħla online sessions were delivered on an individual basis during the summer.

As shown in Table 25d, 17 students from 4 schools participated in this service.
22 Primary School Boys Girls Children Xgħajra Fgura Marsaskala Sliema Total 1 1 0 6 8 2 1 1 5 9 3 2 1 11 17 Table 24d: Klabb Naħla summer online provision (pupils’ attendance), July - September 2020 October to December 2020 – online sessions 5 schools participated in the service during this period reaching 35 pupils.

An online parental meeting was held with each of these schools prior to the start of the service.
The 11 Klabb Naħla tutors attended group professional development sessions and were provided with online individual support.
Primary School Parents/caregivers Birżebbuġa Fgura B Floriana Marsa Marsaskala Mellieħa Naxxar San Lawrenz St Paul's Bay Santa Venera Xgħajra Total 5 4 6 8 5 10 4 4 6 15 10 77 23 Table 24e: Klabb Naħla online provision parental meetings, October – December 2020 Primary School Boys Girls Children Birżebbuġa Floriana Marsa San Lawrenz Santa Venera 0 6 4 1 9 2 1 3 3 6 Total 20 15 2 7 7 4 15 35 Table 24f: Klabb Naħla online provision (pupils’ attendance), October - December 2020 2.7 Reading Recovery Reading Recovery (RR) is an accredited school-based literacy programme for the lowest achieving children aged five or six that enables them to reach age-expected levels within 20 weeks.
It involves a short series of one-to-one lessons for 30 minutes every day with a specially trained teacher.

The programme is different for every child, starting from what the child knows and what s/he needs to learn next.

The focus of each lesson is to comprehend messages in reading, construct messages in writing, and learning how to attend to detail without losing focus on meaning.

The Agency in collaboration with the University College London (UCL), launched Reading Recovery in 2018.
Since then, UCL national leaders, led by Dr Sue Bodman delivered all RR professional development programmes in Malta.

7 teacher leaders followed the two-year Master’s degree and during scholastic year 2019 - 2020, they led initial professional development to 32 teachers.

The local teacher leaders supported by the Agency, also led the continuous professional development for the 15 RR teachers who had successfully followed the RR teacher course during scholastic year 2018-19.
During scholastic year 2019 - 2020, 31 primary schools benefitted from Reading Recovery intervention as showcased in Table 25.

A link teacher was selected by each school and received training to administer the observation survey and assess students once they reached the attained level.
College Gozo College Marija Reġina St Benedict St Ignatius School Qala Rabat Ta’ Sannat Xagħra Mosta Birżebbuġa Ħal Għaxaq Mqabba Żurrieq Ħal Qormi SB Ħal Qormi SĠ St Clare Gżira 24 San Ġwann Fgura St Thomas More Marsaskala Żejtun Ħamrun GP Ħamrun SS Marsa Paola Baħrija Ħad-Dingli Mġarr Mtarfa Rabat Birkirkara Santa Venera Vittoriosa Cospicua Senglea Kalkara 31 schools San Ġorġ Preca St Nicholas St Theresa St Margaret Total Table 25: Reading Recovery schools scholastic year, 2019 – 2020 Due to the closure of schools, the Agency organised an online programme to ensure students were reached remotely.
17 children in the RR programme did not have the digital means to connect with their teachers; they were provided with tablets.

177 students benefitted from online intervention due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Online Reading Recovery Intervention Type of session Synchronous Video call Asynchronous Total Students 59 21 97 177 Table 26: Reading Recovery online provision pupils’ attendance, April - June 2020 RR Teacher Leaders, supported by UCL national leaders and the Agency, continued to support RR teachers and held 3 online IPDs and 3 online CPDs.

Remote professional development sessions were very successful, and all RR teachers participated.
By June 2020, 233 underachieving literacy learners in Year 2 were provided with early intervention.
25 RR Students - September 2019 to June 2020 Students who were stopped due to continued absence Students who reached target level Students who reached the maximum number of sessions (referred to other services) Table 27: Reading Recovery online provision, April - June 2020 233 1 26 4 At the beginning of scholastic year 2020 – 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 17 RR teachers were assigned classes and 25 RR teachers were assigned a school to replace absent class teachers.
Therefore, almost all RR trained teachers were not able to maintain contact with their RR children or teach new pupils, except for 6 educators, as shown in Table 28.
College School Gozo Ta’ Sannat St Ignatius Ħal Qormi SG St Thomas More Fgura A San Ġorġ Preca Marsa St Nicholas Rabat St Theresa Total Birkirkara 6 schools Students carried over from June 2020 New Intake October 2020 Total 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 4 2 0 2 3 2 4 2 2 2 3 2 13 15 Table 28: Reading Recovery provision, October - December 2020 In December 2020, the Directorate for Learning and Assessment Programmes issued a letter circular with new instructions for Complementary Education teachers and Literacy Support teachers, affecting approximately 30 teachers who are RR trained.
This new direction was followed by the organisation of online meetings between the Agency, College Principals, and the Senior Management Team of each RR school to discuss RR implementation in schools as from January 2021.
26 2.8 L-Ambaxxaturi tal-Qari/Reading Ambassadors The Reading Ambassadors programme is a school-based literacy initiative, supported by Agenda Bookshop, which promotes the pleasure of reading through organised events involving local personalities appointed by the Ministry for Education and Employment to motivate children and young people to read.
During these reading activities, Reading Ambassadors conduct a read-aloud session in Maltese or in English which is followed by a lively discussion about the book.

Following the interactive read aloud session, an informal forum is organised with the participation of the whole school.

This takes the form of a Q&A session with the Reading Ambassador/s about their reading habits and experiences.

This event ends with a performance by one of the ambassadors.
Reading Ambassadors include authors, singers, actors, footballers, presenters, broadcasters, and journalists.

From January to March, 17 reading ambassador activities were held in 16 Primary Schools and one at Fairyland Ward, Mater Dei Hospital.

Further information may be viewed in Table 29.
27 Date Place/Centre/Locality Pupils Year Classes Books Distributed Reading Ambassadors 06-Jan Fairyland Ward, Mater Dei Hospital 10 Year 4 - 10 23-Jan Mtarfa Primary School 32 Year 5, 6 23-Jan Mosta B Primary School 118 Year 6 23-Jan Tal-Pietà Primary School 40 Year 5, 6 24-Jan Żurrieq Primary School (Readathon launch) 163 Year 3, 4 24-Jan Birkirkara Primary School 91 Year 6 24-Jan Vittoriosa Primary School 30 Year 5, 6 13-Feb Ħal Tarxien Primary School (Readathon) 84 Year 4, 5 13-Feb Valletta Primary School (Readathon) 87 Year 1, 2, 5, 6 19-Feb Ħad-Dingli Primary School 77 Year 1, 2, 4 20-Feb Gżira Primary School (Readathon) 108 Year 1, 2, 3, 5 20-Feb Santa Venera Primary School (Readathon) 62 Year 5 27-Feb Kalkara Primary School 62 Year 4, 5, 6 28-Feb Mellieħa Primary School 74 Year 3 28-Feb Mġarr Primary School 110 Year 1, 2, 3 09-Mar Floriana Primary School 98 KG 1, KG 2, Year 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 10-Mar Ħal Qormi San Bastjan Primary School 58 Year Gilbert Agius, Saviour Darmanin Matt Oldfield Matt Oldfield Matt Oldfield Carmel Busuttil, Saviour Darmanin, Veronica Farrugia Matt Oldfield Matt Oldfield Gilbert Agius, Saviour Darmanin Rowen Muscat, Gilbert Agius and Saviour Darmanin Jessika Muscat, Rowen Muscat, Gilbert Agius Gilbert Agius, Carmel Busuttil, Saviour Darmanin Gilbert Agius, Carmel Busuttil, Saviour Darmanin Gilbert Agius and Carmel Busuttil Gilbert Agius, Carmel Busuttil Gilbert Agius, Carmel Busuttil Carmel Busuttil, Rowen Muscat, Jurgen Degabriele Trevor Zahra, Gilbert Agius, Saviour Darmanin Total 16 Primary Schools 1 Hospital Ward 1,304 78 462 Table 29: Reading Ambassadors activities, 2020 In February, in collaboration with Agenda Bookshop the Agency, launched the song Mikiel u l-lmportanza tal-Qari at Dingli Primary School, St Nicholas College.
The concept behind the song is to further encourage children to enjoy reading like the Agenda Kids Club mascot Mikiel.

The song was composed by Chan Vella, lyrics by Alexia Vella Schembri, and sung by Jessika Muscat and Avner Vella.

The video of the song was posted on the Agency YouTube channel and is accessible to the public.

From March to June, Reading Ambassadors recorded video-messages to encourage children to stay home and read.
Furthermore, the Agency carried out interviews with Reading Ambassadors Taryn 28 Mamo Cefai and Keith Demicoli.

These videos were uploaded on the Ambaxxaturi tal-Qari/Reading Ambassadors Facebook page.

Further information may be viewed in Table 30.
Date Views Reactions Shares 27-Mar 20-Mar 13-Apr 17-Apr 27-Apr 1-Jun 8-Jun 12-Jun 26-Jun 2-Sep Total Estimated reach Reading Ambassadors 2,400 Corazon Mizzi 988 737 Amber Bondin Kim Dalli 3,350 Claudia Faniello 788 690 4,259 3,145 Nicole Vella David Muscat Taryn Mamo Cefai Keith Demicoli 38 Keith Demicoli 2,164 Keith Demicoli 18,559 Table 30: Reading Ambassadors online videos, 2020 Between October and December, the Agency offered an online version of the Reading Ambassadors programme using Microsoft Teams.
The activity consisted of a live read-aloud session, in either Maltese or in English, followed by a discussion about the book.

The pupils also engaged in a Q&A session where they interviewed the Reading Ambassadors.

Further information may be viewed in Table 31.
29 Date Place/Centre/Locality Pupils Year Classes Books Distributed Reading Ambassadors 22-Jun St Augustine's College (online) 21 Form 3, 4 25-Aug Ħal Għaxaq Primary School (online) 29 Year 4, 5, 6 7-Sep International Literacy Day Celebration - Castille, Valletta 19 Year 4, 5, 6 23-Oct Floriana Primary School (online) 66 Years 1 - 6 30-Oct Siġġiewi Primary School (online) 68 Year 3 5-Nov Xgħajra Primary School (online) 61 Year 3, 4, 5, 6 18-Nov Qala Primary School (online) 45 Year 1, 2, 4, 5 4 3 6 4 4 4 38 Gilbert Agius, Carmel Busuttil and Saviour Darmanin Gilbert Agius, Carmel Busuttil and Saviour Darmanin Nicole Vella, Gilbert Agius, Carmel Busuttil and Saviour Darmanin Gilbert Agius, Carmel Busuttil and Saviour Darmanin Gilbert Agius, Carmel Busuttil and Saviour Darmanin Gilbert Agius, Carmel Busuttil and Saviour Darmanin Gilbert Agius, Carmel Busuttil and Saviour Darmanin 19-Nov St Julian's Primary School (online) 98 Years 2 - 6 10 Laura James 27-Nov Marsaskala St Anne Primary School (online) 27 Year 6 7-Dec Żejtun B Primary School (online) 153 Years 5, 6 10-Dec Żejtun B Primary School (online) 118 Years 4, 6 2 8 6 Gilbert Agius, Carmel Busuttil and Saviour Darmanin Gilbert Agius, Carmel Busuttil and Saviour Darmanin Gilbert Agius, Carmel Busuttil and Saviour Darmanin Total 8 Primary Schools 1 Secondary School 1 Public Space 705 51 Table 31: Reading Ambassadors online activities, 2020 2.9 Aqra Kemm Tiflaħ/Enhancing Classroom Libraries Programme Through this programme, the National Literacy Agency, in collaboration with state primary schools, enhances classroom libraries enabling children to interact directly with books, demonstrate positive attitudes towards reading, spend more time reading and exhibit higher levels of reading achievement.
Each classroom library is provided with sets of fiction and non-fiction books.

Books are banded in 11 levels to ensure that each child is provided with books of his/her level.

This enables children to build their confidence and improve their reading skills.

Meetings are held with school senior management teams and class teachers, in which educators are provided with additional resources such as a lending record sheet, a reading diary and a laminated book band sheet.
Reading running records are also given to each school to help teachers determine each child’s reading level.

In January and February, Aqra Kemm Tiflaħ distributed 2,691 books to Years 4, 5 and 6 classes in 6 primary state schools, reaching 395 pupils.

A minimum of 100 high-appeal books, 50 in Maltese and 30 50 in English, were distributed to each class.

Moreover, 26 interactive games for Years 4, 5 and 6, 20 in Maltese and 6 in English were produced to enhance the experience of reading for pleasure.
These were uploaded on the Fronter virtual room and Aqra Stejjer u Kotba Diġitali.

Further information may be viewed in Table 32.
Primary School Mqabba Cospicua Mtarfa Marsaxlokk Qrendi St Julian's Total 4 2 2 1 2 1 2 Year Year Year Books Students Books Students Books Students Total Students Total Classes Books 87 76 46 62 48 76 5 6 3 4 3 4 537 644 322 433 322 433 395 25 2,691 Table 32: Aqra Kemm Tiflaħ - books distributed to Years 4, 5 and 6 classrooms, 2020 Between January and March, 94 kindergarten classroom libraries were provided with a minimum of 60 high-appeal books (30 in Maltese and 30 in English) including board books, multisensory books, and big books.
The Agency distributed 5,862 books to Kindergarten 1 and 2 classes in 9 primary state schools, reaching 1,076 pupils.

Early childhood educators are encouraged to read aloud stories, promote the love of books, and motivate children to engage in discovering books and stories.

Through the Aqra Kemm Tiflaħ programme, young children can handle and play with books and understand how books work.

This initiative will enhance the language and literacy environment of Kindergarten classes.
Having access to books, children engage in understanding the concept of print and word, linguistic and phonemic awareness, and vocabulary development, all of which are prerequisites to learning how to read and write.
Primary School KG 1 Books Students KG 2 Books Students Total Students Total Classes Books Marsaskala St Joachim Ta’ Kerċem Għarb Lija/Balzan/Iklin Mġarr Mosta A Senglea Tas-Sliema Valletta Total Table 33: Aqra Kemm Tiflaħ resources distributed in Kindergarten 1 and 2 classrooms, 2020 873 187 187 686 685 1,996 125 811 312 5,862 31 From March till December, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Aqra Kemm Tiflaħ distribution of books to schools was hindered.
Books were only distributed to schools where classroom libraries were still in use.

Furthermore, a set of guidelines on how to make use of the classroom library abiding by COVID- 19 guidelines was provided to state schools.

The Aqra Kemm Tiflaħ catalogue was uploaded on the Agency’s page on the Ministry’s website.

The catalogue features the covers and blurbs of all the books which form part of the Aqra Kemm Tiflaħ programme.

In this way, students avoid touching the books when selecting them.
From April to September, 42 videos promoting books that feature in the Aqra Kemm Tiflaħ catalogue were uploaded on the programme’s Facebook page.

These videos, uploaded in English and Maltese, encouraged students to read and play the free reading activities.

In November and December, the NLA distributed 4,397 books to 43 additional classrooms, reaching 689 pupils.

Tables 34 show the number of books distributed among new classrooms within state primary schools throughout 2020.
KG 2 Books Pupils Year 1 Books Pupils Year 2 Books Pupils Total Pupils Total Classes Books Primary School Gżira Ħamrun GP Lija/Balzan/Iklin Ħal Luqa Mġarr Paola Tal-Pietà Qawra Ħal Qormi SB Rabat, Malta Tas-Sliema 1 63 15 Xewkija Ħaż-Żabbar A Total Table 34a: Aqra Kemm Tiflaħ additional books distributed to KG 2 to Year 2 classrooms, 2020 32 Books Pupils Year 5 Books Pupils Year 6 Books Pupils Total Students Total Classes Books Year 4 2 1 222 111 22 19 Primary School Year 3 Books Pupils Gżira Ħamrun GP Ħamrun SS Lija/Balzan/Iklin Ħal Luqa Mġarr Paola Tal-Pietà 1 100 23 Qala Qawra 1 1 2 1 107 107 214 107 18 19 15 20 1 111 10 1 2 111 222 18 20 Ħal Qormi SB 1 100 20 1 107 18 Qrendi Rabat, Malta Ta’ Sannat Siġġiewi Tas-Sliema St Paul's Bay Ħaż-Żabbar B Total Table 34b: Aqra Kemm Tiflaħ additional books distributed to Year 3 to 6 classrooms, 2020 In February and March, 37 bookshelves sponsored by GO plc were distributed to 6 primary state schools.
Years 1 to 6 classrooms, in these 6 schools, were equipped with bookshelf display units, allowing books to be properly displayed and accessible to students.

Further information is highlighted in Tables 35.
Y e ar 1 1 4 4 2 School Kalkara Mellieħa Senglea Tas-Sliema Xewkija Total Shelves Pupils Year 2 Shelves Pupils Year 3 Shelves Pupils Total Pupils Total Classes Shelves 1 4 4 2 17 102 1 4 1 4 11 77 1 4 1 4 21 74 School library 75 21 1 1 13 1 1 11 49 253 105 75 45 3 12 8 4 4 3 12 4 4 4 527 31 27 Table 35a: Aqra Kemm Tiflaħ distribution of bookshelf display units Years 1 - 3, 2020 33 Year 4 1 2 1 School Kalkara Mqabba Xewkija Total Shelves Pupils 14 34 1 2 1 Year 5 1 1 Shelves Pupils 1 1 21 22 Year 6 1 2 Shelves Pupils Total Pupils Total Classes Shelves 1 2 27 31 62 87 0 149 3 5 1 9 3 5 1 9 Table 35b: Aqra Kemm Tiflaħ - distribution of bookshelf display units Years 4 - 6, 2020 2.10 Il-Programm tal-Kitba ta’ Malta/The Malta Writing Programme (MWP) The Agency supports college literacy teams, schools, educators, and local communities in the implementation of writing process methodology during school hours.
Furthermore, through after-school activities, the Agency promotes writing process methodology and writing in a fun and interactive setting for children and their families.

The Young Writers’ Club supports gifted children in developing and honing their creative writing skills.
The writing for fun activities: • introduce the writing process methodology to both children and their parents/caregivers; • contribute to a gradual but radical change in language learning of both children and parents; • offer an informal and enjoyable setting to facilitate writing skills.

In March 2020, the Agency organised a writing club, SWAR: Minn Libretto ta’ Opra għall-Rumanz, in collaboration with Mr Ġorġ Peresso and Maestro Reuben Pace for 12 talented writers.
However, the club could not be completed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Every month, the Agency organises Xalati ta’ Kitba/Family Writing Activities in historical, cultural or rural places.

These activities, which are sponsored by Merlin Publishers and supported by Heritage Malta, present writing as a positive experience and link it to everyday activities.

Parents/guardians are empowered to use the writing techniques at home with their children.
In 2020, the Agency organised 3 onsite family writing activities and 2 online family writing activities, after the pandemic outbreak.
Date Activity Participants Old New Children Adults Children Adults Children Adults 17-Jan Digital Literacy Centre, Ħamrun 08-Feb Fortress Builders, Valletta 28-Feb Digital Literacy Centre, Ħamrun Total 16 12 17 45 12 7 15 34 12 12 7 7 16 12 17 33 15 27 Table 36: Xalati ta’ Kitba/Family Writing Activities (onsite), 2020 34 Date Activity Participants Old New Children Adults Children Adults Children Adults 11-Dec Ħal Tarxien Temples 18-Dec Ħal Tarxien Temples Total 42 28 70 33 23 56 43 28 71 33 23 56 0 0 Table 37: Xalati ta’ Kitba/Family Writing Activities (online), 2020 In March, the Agency organised an online writing course for parents/caregivers, Il-Kitba żżommna Magħqudin!
This course was uploaded on the Malta Writing Programme Facebook Page and was aimed at parents/caregivers who required assistance to support their children develop their writing skills.

Due to the high demand, a second course, Il-Kitba Tgħaqqadna!

was organised in November.


Date Description Reaches Shares Views 26-Mar Schedule 01-Apr Session 1 08-Apr Session 2 15-Apr Session 3 29-Apr Session 4a 06-May Session 4b 13-May Session 5 2,648 3,108 3,477 517 1,178 1,096 1,545 20 31 21 3 7 12 12 1,244 1,081 178 439 411 578 Total 13,569 106 3,931 Table 38a: Online writing course (Il-Kitba żżommna Magħqudin!
), 2020 Date Description Reaches Shares Views 09-Nov Schedule 12-Nov Session 1 19-Nov Session 2 26-Nov Session 3 03-Dec Session 4a 10-Dec Session 4b 17-Dec Session 5 1,628 1,714 788 425 424 273 392 8 12 5 5 5 3 7 N/A 810 286 164 147 82 115 Total 5,644 45 1,604 Table 38b: Online writing course (Il-Kitba Tgħaqqadna!

), 2020 During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Agency supported students through the publishing of writing prompts on the MWP Facebook page.
35 Date 15-May 20-May 22-May 27-May 29-May Total Writing Prompt Reaches Shares Views Slot Machine Il-BBQ A new plant in Spring L-Animal Aljen Ħdejn il-baħar 519 1,136 679 572 1,064 3,970 3 6 5 4 7 199 25 199 Table 39: Online writing prompts, 2020 2.11 Bil-Qari u l-Kitba Niskorja/Footballers’ Read and Write Programme (FRWP) FRWP is a football and literacy programme organised in collaboration with the Malta Football Association, Sports Malta and the Secretariat for Sport, Youth and Voluntary Organisations.
It offers upper primary and middle state school students an opportunity to participate in reading and writing activities related to football.

The passion and enthusiasm for football is utilised to inspire a love of reading and writing amongst students who are reluctant readers.

Professional football coaches and literacy resource leaders form part of the FRWP team.
These professionals work with primary school educators to engage children through reading and writing workshops related to the theme of football.

Cycle 6: October 2019 – February 2020 During the sixth cycle, the FRWP was held in 9 schools, 7 primary schools and 2 middle schools.

The programme was delivered with the support of the Malta Football Association, Ħamrun Spartans, Sports Malta, Mġarr United, Qormi Hockey Club, Birżebbuġa Foundation and FC Għarb Rangers.
6 primary schools, namely Vittoriosa, Valletta, Mġarr, Qormi SB, Marsa and Birżebbuġa, had already taken part in this programme before.

Għarb primary school took part for the first time.

The FRWP was also held in Blata l-Bajda and Cospicua middle schools.

Interviews and pre-reading assessments were carried out to determine the reading level of each child.

Post-reading assessments to evaluate the children’s reading levels were organised at the end of this cycle.
85% of the students who followed the programme registered a significant improvement in their reading level.

Class Boys Girls Children School/Club Venue Year 5 & 6 Year 4 & 5 Year 4 & 5 Year 8 Year 4 & 5 Year 5 Year 8 Year 4 & 5 Year 5 Total 7 5 7 5 4 6 6 6 5 1 3 1 3 4 2 2 2 2 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 7 Għarb Primary School Għarb Football Ground Marsa Primary School Sta.
Venera Sports Ground Mġarr Primary School Mġarr United Football Ground Cospicua Middle School Cospicua Middle School Vittoriosa Primary School Cottonera Sports Complex Ħal Qormi SB Primary School Ħal Qormi Hockey Ground Blata l-Bajda Middle School Victor Tedesco Stadium Valletta Primary School Santa Venera Sports Ground Birżebbuġa Primary School Birżebbuġa Football Ground 51 20 71 Table 40: FRWP sixth cycle participants, October 2019 – January 2020 36 Cycle 7: During the seventh cycle, the FRWP commenced in the following 8 primary schools, that is, Rabat, Attard, Isla, Żejtun, Kalkara, Dingli, Birkirkara, and Mtarfa.
It was also organised in 2 middle schools, Cospicua and Blata l-Bajda middle schools.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this cycle could not be completed.
Class Boys Girls Children School/Club Venue Sessions Year 5 Year 8 Year 4 & 5 Year 4 & 5 Year 5 Year 4 & 5 Year 5 Year 5 Year 8 Year 4 & 5 9 7 8 6 6 5 6 7 5 9 3 2 1 2 5 3 3 1 3 1 Total 68 24 12 Rabat Primary School Rabat Ajax Football Club 9 9 8 Blata l-Bajda Middle School Victor Tedesco Stadium Ħ’Attard Primary School Ħ’Attard Football Ground Senglea Primary School Cottonera Sports Complex 11 Żejtun Primary School Żejtun Corinthians Football Ground Kalkara Primary School Kalkara Football Ground Ħad-Dingli Primary School Ħad-Dingli Football Ground Birkirkara Primary School Santa Venera Sports Ground Cospicua Middle School Cospicua Middle School Mtarfa Primary School Rabat Ajax Football Club 8 9 8 8 10 92 1 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 18 Table 41: FRWP seventh cycle (incomplete) participants, February – March 2020 Following the closure of schools in March 2020, the Literacy Resource Leaders could not deliver FRWP sessions.
Thus, online reading sessions were uploaded on the programme’s Facebook page.

Each session consisted of a read-aloud session of a book or article related to football, sport, healthy living, or sport journalism.

From March to December, 257 videos were uploaded.

From March to December, 275 videos were uploaded on the same Facebook page.
Month March April May June July August September October November December Videos Reaches Shares Engagements Total 275 172,639 746 20,906 Table 42: FRWP online reading sessions, March – December 2020 37 To inspire budding readers and writers and urge them to be more active, the Sports Literacy Leaders uploaded short videos demonstrating various football or fitness related activities.
From March to December, 67 videos were uploaded.

Further information may be viewed in Table 43.


Reaches Shares Views Date March April May June July August 656 4,880 8,191 14,190 2,494 8,143 September 10,445 October 6,208 November 4,072 December 1,512 7 30 46 53 15 33 37 26 18 11 308 2,187 1,268 1,132 166 824 1,120 870 416 276 Total 60,791 276 8,567 Table 43: FRWP online football skills videos, March – December 2020 Football Skills Challenge The Sports Literacy Leaders created a set of football related challenges.
Parents/caregivers whose children were born in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011, were encouraged to participate.

All participants were awarded a book, a certificate of accomplishment and other tokens, while those who managed to complete the challenge were awarded 2 books and a ball signed by ex-footballers who played with the National Maltese team.

From September to December, 69 pupils participated in the skills challenge.
Month Participants September October November December Total 30 7 23 9 69 Table 44: FRWP football skills challenge, September – December 2020 In October, the Agency offered an online version of the FRWP, Tir Stupend/Golden Goal, targeting Year 4 and 5 primary school classes.

This interactive programme was delivered online via Microsoft Teams.

The aim of these sessions is to improve pupils’ reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills through engaging lessons on sport or football related themes.
Class teachers were given the option to follow the session in Maltese or English.

Between November and December, 114 sessions were delivered in 12 primary schools.
38 Primary School Pupils Year Classes Sessions Vittoriosa Birżebbuġa Ħamrun SS Ta’ Kerċem Marsaskala St Anne Santa Venera St Paul's Bay Ħal Tarxien 27 58 45 13 34 37 42 72 4 & 5 5 5 4 5 5 5 4 & 5 2 3 4 1 2 2 2 4 Total 328 20 Table 45a: Golden Goal sessions, 2020 8 18 12 1 4 6 2 12 63 Primary School Pupils Year Classes Sessions Birżebbuġa Ħad-Dingli Ta’ Kerċem Mġarr Paola San Lawrenz 86 30 13 34 81 5 4 and 5 4 4 4 5 5 Total 249 4 2 1 3 6 1 17 Table 45b: Tir Stupend sessions, 2020 24 2 1 3 20 1 51 2.12 Il-Promoturi tal-Qari/Reading Champions Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the annual Reading Champions award ceremony for Form 2/Year 8 students, usually held during the National Book Festival in November, could not take place.
Notwithstanding this, schools were invited to nominate students for these awards, which are part of a nationwide campaign for the promotion of reading.

The deadline for nomination submissions was extended to December 2020.

39 2.13 Għidli Storja/Tell Me a Story programme Għidli Storja is a storytelling programme aimed at Year 5 primary students to improve their oracy, listening and comprehension skills in preparation for the Maltese and English benchmark assessment.
By learning to tell stories, children develop essential literacy skills such as speaking, listening, reading, and writing, as well as language, communication and social skills, and knowledge of story content.

Students are helped to practise these skills through stories and storytelling, and oracy-based activities.

Educators are trained how to help their students become articulate communicators, express themselves in public with confidence, and listen attentively and respectfully.
In 2020, 73 Għidli Storja/Tell Me a Story lessons were delivered in 18 primary state schools and 450 students from 25 classes participated in this programme.
Primary Schools Classes Children Vittoriosa Birkirkara Floriana Marsa Marsaskala St Joachim Marsaxlokk Mqabba Qawra Ħal Qormi San Ġorġ Rabat B Senglea Siġġiewi Tas-Sliema St Paul's Bay Ħal Tarxien Victoria, Gozo Xewkija, Gozo Żurrieq Total Table 46: Għidli Storja/Tell Me a Story participating schools, 2020 2020 children sessions January February March 497 591 77 31 36 6 Table 47: Għidli Storja/Tell Me a Story attendance (actual headcount) January - March 2020 40 Għidli Storja/Tell Me a Story face-to-face session had to be discontinued mid-March due to the COVID- 19 pandemic.
From March to October 1 to 2 storytelling clips were uploaded weekly, one in Maltese and another in English totalling 48 online stories.

This included the sharing of storytelling videos in British English from Epic Tales and Oxford Owl, articles about the educational benefits of storytelling, and hands-on activities to encourage speaking and story creation.
Furthermore, cards from the bilingual edition of Iktar Minn Storja Waħda/More Than One Story, a joint publication of the National Literacy Agency and the More Than One Story network, were uploaded regularly to encourage story- sharing among students and their family and friends.

Due to the pandemic, the Agency organised Għidli Storja/Tell Me a story asynchronous online sessions.

Class teachers had the opportunity to practise the storytelling methodology independently and implement it in class.
The sessions were also made available online, on the programme’s Facebook page and on the Agency’s YouTube Channel.

2.14 Skejjel Rakkontaturi/ Storytelling Schools, Malta The National Literacy Agency, in collaboration with the Storytelling Schools Limited (UK), organised a training and mentoring course in the Storytelling Schools methodology for several teachers, KGEs and LSEs in primary and middle state schools.
This training provided educators with the necessary storytelling skills to help students build confidence and fluency in spoken language, and to raise the standards of reading and writing.

The training empowered teachers, KGEs and LSEs to promote literacy by integrating the skills of oracy, reading and writing.

The initial project design hinged on two core elements: 1.

The training of Maltese educators to sustain Storytelling Schools methodology in Malta.

2.
2.

The implementation of the Storytelling Schools methodology in several schools in Malta and to explore how the UK model might be adapted to the realities of the Maltese context.

In January, training was organised over 3 days for 470 educators from Żejtun B, Ħ’Attard, Ħal Luqa, Victoria, Vittoriosa, Mqabba, Tas-Sliema, Ħaż-Żabbar primary schools.
Educators from Cospicua middle school participated in the second day of training, while educators from Senglea Primary participated in the third day of training.

In March, 257 educators from Tas-Sliema, Victoria, Vittoriosa, Ħaż-Żabbar primary schools were trained.

Educators from Birkirkara participated in the second day of training, while educators from Cospicua middle school participated in the third day of the training.
41 Date School Participants 16-Jan Żejtun B Primary School 20-Jan Ħ’Attard Primary School 21-Jan Ħal Luqa Primary School 22-Jan Cospicua Middle School 24-Jan Rabat Primary School, Gozo 27-Jan Vittoriosa Primary School 28-Jan Mqabba Primary School 29-Jan Tas-Sliema Primary School 30-Jan Ħaż-Żabbar A Primary School 31-Jan Senglea Primary School Total 40 81 59 18 45 37 46 64 50 30 470 Table 48a: Storytelling Schools training, January 2020 Date School Participants 04-Mar Cospicua Middle School 05-Mar Tas-Sliema Primary School 06-Mar Rabat Primary School, Gozo 09-Mar Vittoriosa Primary School 10-Mar Ħ’Attard Primary School 11-Mar Birkirkara Primary School 12-Mar Ħaż-Żabbar A Primary School Total 20 58 46 32 27 26 48 257 Table 48b: Storytelling Schools training, March 2020 In 2020, 9 educators followed the Storytelling Schools leader training course.
These educators were trained by STSUK to become fully licensed trainers.

5 educators sat for the final oral exam and became licensed trainers.

Additional training was organised by Dr Chris Smith and Ms. Kate Barron.
Date Training Participants Storytelling Schools Methodology seminar for SMT - Dr Chris Smith Storytelling Schools methodology training for prospective trainers - Kate Barron Storytelling Schools Seminar for EOs – Dr Chris Smith 23-Jan 03-Mar 10-Mar Total 24 10 14 48 Table 49: Storytelling Schools additional training, 2020 42 In May the Agency distributed an online questionnaire was among 219 educators in 11 Storytelling Schools, who completed the Storytelling Schools training in November 2018, and January and March 2019.
The response rate was of 57% (i.e.

125 educators).

Respondents overwhelmingly claimed (93.6%) they have used the programme’s methods in their classrooms.

80% of respondents found the programme helpful in improving their learners’ speaking, listening, memory and sequencing skills, while 64% of respondents felt that the programme helped improve learners’ writing.

From March onwards, due to COVID-19 restrictions, training and support had to be discontinued in schools.
Storytelling Schools, UK provided the Agency with 10 storytelling videos which were uploaded on the programme’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.

The Agency also produced its own videos and uploaded them on the programme’s Facebook page and the Agency’s YouTube channel.

During November and December, 19 additional videos were uploaded on the Facebook page, and these had 2,868 reaches and 1,746 views.
3 NLA Summer Programmes 3.1 Aqra fis-Sajf/ Summer Reading campaign There is considerable evidence to show that in summer, children lose some of the educational gain made during the previous academic year.

One of the ways of addressing this setback is by encouraging summer reading.

In view of this, for the fifth consecutive year, the NLA in collaboration with the Foundation for Educational Services (FES) organised the reading campaign Aqra fis-Sajf.
The Aqra fis-Sajf Summer Reading campaign involved weekly read aloud and shared reading sessions in Maltese and English across 35 Skolasajf centres in Malta and Gozo.

University students and educators were assigned to Skolasajf centres to deliver the read-aloud and shared reading sessions.

The provision and posting of student workers were carried out in collaboration with the Students Maintenance Grants Section within the Ministry of Education.
As part of the Aqra fis-Sajf Summer Reading Campaign, the Agency also offered the Klabbsajf guided reading programme to students attending the Nwar programme, SURF (Summer Reading Fun) for students following the Reading Recovery Programme and the FRWP one-off sessions.
Prior to the start of the summer programme, the Agency organised a two-day training programme for 29 university students and 16 educators, These training sessions focused on the structure and methodology of a shared reading session and on storytelling techniques.

Participants discussed a variety of before, during and after reading activities they could organise, how to select appropriate books and animate a story, as well as general classroom management techniques.
Mid-way through the summer another training session was held which focused on creating stimulating resources and activities to support the shared reading sessions.

The Aqra fis-Sajf reading animators delivered 1,902 reading sessions during the summer period.

2,304 pupils benefitted from these sessions during the first summer phase (13th July to 7th August), and 1,153 pupils benefitted from these sessions during the second summer phase (10th August to 4th September).
43 College Centre Sessions Girls Boys Children Marija Reġina St Clare St Margaret Ħal Għargħur Mosta Naxxar St Paul's Bay Pembroke San Ġwann Tas-Sliema Vittoriosa Ħaż-Żabbar A Birżebbuġa Ħal Għaxaq St Benedict Mqabba St Nicholas Qrendi Ħal Safi Ħ’Attard Mġarr Rabat Ħal Luqa Ħal Qormi SB St Ignatius Ħal Qormi SG Siġġiewi Ħaż-Żebbuġ Floriana San Ġorġ Preca Ħamrun GP Paola Fgura Marsaskala St Thomas More Marsaxlokk Ħal Tarxien Żejtun Birkirkara Santa Venera Nadur Ta’ Sannat Xagħra St Teresa Gozo Total Table 50a: Aqra fis-Sajf first phase attendance (actual headcount), summer 2020 College Centre Sessions Girls Boys Children Marija Reġina Ħal Għargħur Mosta Naxxar St Paul's Bay Pembroke St Clare San Ġwann Tas-Sliema St Margaret Ħaż-Żabbar A Birżebbuġa St Benedict Qrendi St Nicholas Ħal Safi Ħ’Attard Mġarr Rabat Ħal Luqa Ħal Qormi SB St Ignatius Ħal Qormi SĠ San Ġorġ Preca Siġġiewi Ħaż-Żebbuġ Floriana Ħamrun GP Marsaskala St Thomas More Marsaxlokk Żejtun Birkirkara Santa Venera Xagħra Victoria St Teresa Gozo Total Table 50b: Aqra fis-Sajf second phase attendance (actual headcount), summer 2020 45 3.1.1 Celebration Ceremonies To celebrate International Literacy Day, the Agency in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister, organised a reading celebration on 7th
 September at Castille, Valletta.
During this activity, 19 pupils from various local Scouts groups took part in reading sessions delivered by the Reading Ambassadors Nicole Vella, Gilbert Agius, Carmel Busuttil and Saviour Darmanin.

Each pupil was awarded 2 books (1 in Maltese and 1 English) for participating.

3.3 Klabbsajf During summer 2020, the Agency had to adapt the course provided in previous years to an online one- to-one online literacy programme with twice weekly sessions.
This was extremely popular and attracted many more tutors to work in summer.

Participating students also increased from previous years was also very good reaching 239 students.

The programme targeted children in Years 4, 5 and 6 who during scholastic year 2019 – 2020 participated in the Nwar programme or who were on the waiting list.
46 Ħ’Attard Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq Ħal Balzan Birżebbuġa Birkirkara Cospicua Buġibba Burmarrad Buskett Fgura Ħal Għargħur Ħal Għaxaq Gudja Gżira Ħamrun Ibraġ Senglea Kalkara Ħal Kirkop Ħal Luqa Madliena Manikata Marsa Mellieħa Mġarr Mosta Marsaskala Total Fontana Għajnsielem Għasri Munxar Nadur Total Malta 3 1 1 9 4 2 1 2 1 Mtarfa Marsaxlokk Naxxar Paola Pembroke Tal-Pietà Qawra Ħal Qormi Rabat 16 Ħal Safi 1 4 3 3 2 2 5 3 1 2 1 2 2 4 3 San Ġwann Siġġiewi Tas-Sliema St Julian’s St Paul's Bay Santa Lucia Santa Venera Swatar Swieqi Ta' Xbiex Ħal Tarxien Xemxija Xgħajra Ħaż-Żabbar Ħaż-Żebbuġ 18 4 Żejtun Żurrieq Gozo 1 3 1 1 3 Qala Ta’ Sannat Victoria Xewkija Xlendi Table 51: Klabbsajf online provision, 2020 3.4 SURF In summer 2020, SURF was organised for students who followed the Reading Recovery programme during scholastic year 2019 – 2020.
The purpose of this reading club was to reduce the summer slide and strengthen the same students’ reading and writing skills.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the individual and daily literacy sessions were offered virtually.

9 RR trained educators supported 27 Reading Recovery students from 14 primary schools.

Parents/caregivers gave feedback at the end of the summer.
Many commented about the marked improvement they noticed in their children’s reading fluency due to the consistent online literacy support their children received throughout summer.
47 Primary School Students Birżebbuġa Ħad-Dingli Fgura Ħamrun SS Marsaskala Mtarfa Qala Ħal Qormi SĠ Ħal Qormi SS Rabat, Malta Victoria Ta’ Sannat, Gozo Santa Venera Żurrieq Total 1 4 1 2 2 1 1 3 2 1 1 3 3 2 27 Table 52: SURF children’s attendance, 2020 3.5 FRWP Summer one-off fixtures During the summer months, the Agency offered FRWP one-off sessions to pupils attending Skolasajf.
These one-off sessions included a range of activities, such as reading about football, football exercises, and football skills and games.

From July to August, 141 pupils aged between 7 to 12 from 18 Skolasajf centres benefitted from this programme.
Skolasajf Centre Birkirkara Birżebbuġa Floriana Kalkara Ħal Luqa Marsaxlokk Mosta Mosta Mqabba Naxxar Paola Ħal Qormi SB Age 8 9 to 10 8 to 10 8 to 10 8 to 9 8 to 10 10 10 7 to 11 9 8 to 10 8 to 9 Boys Girls Pupils Rabat, Malta San Ġwann St Julian's Santa Venera Vittoriosa Ħaż-Żebbuġ 8 to 10 11 to 12 8 to 9 8 to 10 6 to 7 9 4 4 8 4 4 4 3 / 2 3 3 3 7 4 10 7 7 7 17 Skolasajf Centres 73 68 141 Table 53: FRWP one-off summer sessions, 2020 4 Projects 4.1 Brillantini tal-Qari/Reading Stars The main aim of this project is to reward outstanding students of all ages who love reading and who read in public spaces, such as in public gardens, waiting rooms, playgrounds and while waiting for school transport.
When spotted reading, an employee of the Agency presents the reading star with a letter of achievement, signed by the Hon.

Minister of Education and Employment, and a book voucher from Merlin Library, the sponsor of this initiative.

During 2020, the NLA awarded 12 Reading Stars (10 females and 2 males) aged 7 to 14 during the months of January and February.

These students came from State and Church Schools as illustrated in Table 54.
Date Gender College/School Sector School Year 27-Jan Boy Church De La Salle School 27-Jan 27-Jan 29-Jan 29-Jan Girl Girl Boy Girl St Nicholas St Nicholas Baħrija Primary School Baħrija Primary School Marija Reġina Ħal Għargħur Primary School Marija Reġina Ħal Għargħur Primary School 03-Mar Girl Church St Monica Birkirkara, Junior School 03-Mar Girl Church St Dorothy's Junior School 03-Mar Girl Church St Monica Birkirkara, Junior School 05-Mar Girl San Ġorġ Preca Paola B Primary School 10-Mar Girl St Margaret Vittoriosa Primary School 10-Mar Girl St Margaret Vittoriosa Primary School 9 4 6 4 6 9 3 7 6 5 6 10-Mar Girl St Margaret Vittoriosa College 10 Table 54: Brillantini tal-Qari/Reading Stars, January – March 2020 During the COVID-19 pandemic, from March onwards the initiative had to be restructured.
From March to May 2020, due to the closure of schools and the public health’s recommendations for people 49 indoors, the Facebook to stay launched.

Parents/caregivers were encouraged to send photos of their children reading while they had to stay indoors.

Table 55 outlines the Facebook posts uploaded to celebrate these children reading at home.

All in all, 139 children (67 females and 72 males), whose ages ranged from 4 to 14, took part in this initiative.
initiative Nibqa’ Ġewwa u Naqra Sewwa was Month Boys Girls Total March April May Total 9 50 13 72 3 46 18 67 12 96 31 139 Table 55: Nibqa’ Ġewwa u Naqra Sewwa, March – May 2020 In summer 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions were eased, the initiative was renamed Barra l-bieb u xorta bil-ktieb.

Parents/caregivers were encouraged to send photos of children reading outdoors.

18 children (10 females and 8 males) participated in this initiative.
Month Boys Girls Total June July Total 8 0 8 6 4 10 14 4 18 Table 56: Barra l-bieb u xorta bil-ktieb, June – July 2020 In November, the Brillantini tal-Qari initiative was restructured to encourage avid readers to participate in a competition to show their love for reading.

Participants were invited to record a video, write about their favourite book, act out a scene or submit any activity related to reading and books.

Participants’ entries were evaluated and awarded according to merit.
In 2020, 15 winners (8 females and 7 males) aged 4-14 were awarded the title of Brillantini tal-Qari/Reading Stars based on the reading activity that they submitted.
50 Date Gender College/School Sector School 24-Nov 26-Nov Girl Girl Church St Monica Mosta, Junior School St Clare College St Julian's Primary School 27-Nov Boy Gozo College Ta’ Sannat Primary School 02-Dec Girl St Ignatius College Tal-Ħandaq Middle School 03-Dec Boy St Ignatius College Tal-Ħandaq Secondary School 09-Dec Girl St Clare College San Ġwann Primary School 11-Dec Boy St Clare College Gżira Primary School 15-Dec Girl Church St Monica Gżira, Junior School 17-Dec 21-Dec Boy Boy Church St Francis Msida, Junior School St Nicholas College Siġġiewi Primary School 22-Dec Girl St Ignatius College Tal-Ħandaq Middle School 24-Dec Boy St Clare College Tas-Sliema Primary School 28-Dec Girl St Ignatius College Ħal Qormi SĠ Primary School 30-Dec Boy St Clare College San Ġwann Primary School Table 57: Brillantini tal-Qari/Reading Stars, November – December 2020 Year K2 6 2 7 9 2 3 6 2 6 7 5 2 5 4.2 Raddiena Kliem/Spell It Out Through Raddiena Kliem, the National Literacy Agency supports schools who are interested in organising spelling activities.
This project is an online version of the spelling game Spellili and is targeted for primary school pupils.

The main objective of this activity is to encourage and assist students to spell better in Maltese.

Books, bookmarks, and other tokens are awarded to students at the end of each competition to celebrate their achievement.

This project is sponsored by Book Distributors Ltd. During summer 2020, Raddiena Kliem was organised as an online competition for upper primary and middle school students.
The winners were awarded a book and a soccer ball autographed by 3 professional football coaches.

Due to the safety measures that were implemented in schools, between November and December, the Agency organised Raddiena Kliem online using Microsoft Teams.

32 online live sessions of an hour each were organised in 10 primary schools.

415 students Year 5 and 6 participated in these activities related to spelling.

These activities included Ħaġa Moħġaġa, Tajba jew Ħażina and Raddiena Kliem.
51 Date Primary School Year Sessions Students 23-Nov Għajnsielem 26th Nov Qala 27th Nov Qala 30th Nov St Michael’s, Pembroke 1st Dec 2nd Dec 2nd Dec 3rd Dec 4th Dec 9th Dec St Michael’s, Pembroke St Michael’s, Pembroke Birżebbuġa Birżebbuġa Birżebbuġa Mellieħa 10th Dec Mellieħa 4th Dec Naxxar 11th Dec Naxxar 14th Dec Naxxar 14th Dec Kalkara 15th Dec Marsa 15th Dec Marsa 16th Dec Ħal Għargħur 16th Dec Ħal Qormi SĠ 17th Dec Ħal Qormi SĠ Total 10 schools 17 13 11 20 21 17 18 43 27 34 41 10 31 6 14 23 6 16 10 37 32 415 Table 58: Raddiena Kliem online activities, 2020 4.3 Children in Social Difficulties, Scheme 9 - Home Libraries/Librerija f’Kull Dar Through this project in collaboration with FSWS, the Agency sets up home libraries for vulnerable children.
The Agency distributed books to families who benefit from the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD) and the State Funded Food Distribution.

During the FEAD and State Funded Food Distribution, vulnerable families received 2 books, 1 English and 1 Maltese.

In February, as part of the FEAD distribution scheme, 796 book packs were distributed reaching 398 families and 439 children.
In September, as part of the State Funded Food Distribution, 436 book packs were distributed reaching 218 families and 223 children.

1,232 books were distributed in 2020, reaching 616 families and 662 children.
52 Locality Families Children Vittoriosa Ħal Kirkop Marsa Marsaskala Mosta Msida Qawra Ħal Qormi Rabat, Malta San Ġwann Santa Luċija Santa Venera Valletta Xewkija, Gozo Ħaż-Żebbuġ Żejtun Total Table 59a: FEAD beneficiaries, 2020 53 Locality Ħ’Attard Vittoriosa Birkirkara Birżebbuġa Cospicua Fgura Floriana Ħal Għargħur Ħamrun Kalkara Ħal Kirkop Marsa Marsaskala Marsaxlokk Mosta Msida Naxxar Paola Pembroke Qawra Ħal Qormi Rabat San Ġwann Senglea Siġġiewi St Julian's Santa Lucia St Paul's Bay Santa Venera Swieqi Ħal Tarxien Valletta Xemxija Xewkija, Gozo Ħaż-Żabbar Ħaż-Żebbuġ Żejtun Żurrieq Total Families Children Table 59b: Home Libraries State Funded Food Distribution beneficiaries, 2020 54 During the book gifting meetings, the Agency asked the beneficiaries question about their reading habits with their children aged between 0 to 3.
• 83% of parents said they read to their children • 86% reported they sing nursery rhymes • 74% said that they narrate stories • 86% reported they talk frequently to their infants during the day • 91% believe that reading is important • 23% of families who received the book pack attend Aqra Miegħi/Read with Me sessions.
Reading and Communication Habits 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% Reading books Nursery Rhymes Telling stories Talking Reading is important Table 60: Read habits of families who benefitted from FEAD and Home Libraries, 2020 4.4 The Symbol Literacy Project In 2020, the Agency in collaboration with Professor Adrian Gellel from the University of Malta carried on the implementation of the Symbol Literacy Project.
The project is grounded in socio-cultural theory which is meant to help children develop their observation, thinking and creative skills.

Through the project, children are taught to recognise, read, and interpret symbols and metaphors, and give meaning to traditions, wisdom and heritage passed on by previous generations.
Participating in the symbol literacy project helps children develop a richer symbolic repertoire and increases their cultural capital, whilst enabling them to understand reality through an interdisciplinary mode rather than in a fragmented way.

This project is partially funded by the Malta Arts Council, Culture Pass Scheme.

Due the COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of schools in March, sessions were only held between January and March.
357 children from state and church schools took part in the Symbolic Literacy project.
55 Date Venue Primary School College Students Adults Year Classes 30-Jan Mdina Bastions & Cathedral St Paul's Missionary Church 03-Feb Mdina Bastions & Cathedral Naxxar Marija Reġina 06-Feb Mdina Bastions & Cathedral Naxxar Marija Reġina 07-Feb Mdina Bastions & Cathedral Birkirkara St Teresa 14-Feb Cathedral Museum Senglea St Margaret 17-Feb Mdina Bastions & Cathedral Senglea St Margaret 20-Feb Cathedral Museum St Paul's Missionary Church 27-Feb Mdina Bastions & Cathedral Birkirkara 28-Feb Mdina Bastions & Cathedral Birkirkara St Teresa St Teresa 02-Mar Cathedral Museum Ħaż-Żabbar A St Margaret 47 50 49 50 14 19 48 34 33 13 4 6 6 6 4 5 3 6 5 3 5 4 2 6 KG 1 & 2 2 & 3 2 6 5 KG2 2 3 3 2 2 2 2 3 2 1 Total 357 48 22 Table 61: Symbol Literacy activities and attendance, 2020 4.5 Brillantini tal-Kitba/Writing Stars - Primary Schools Brillantini tal-Kitba/Writing Stars is an opportunity for 9-year-old children from state primary schools who excel in the writing component of the English and Maltese annual examinations.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the writing stars one-day trip to Rome planned for April had to be cancelled.

In December, the Agency organised an alternative online workshop led by 5 Maltese authors.

Clare Azzopardi, Trevor Zahra, Ivan De Battista, Natasha Turner and Charles Casha delivered interactive writing sessions for the 29 participants.
Brillantini tal-Kitba/Writing Stars - Secondary Schools This activity was targeted at fourteen-year-old children who excelled in the writing component of the English and Maltese Annual Examinations held in June 2019.

Thirty-five writing stars from State Secondary Schools, Church Schools participated in a two-day trip to Brussels in January.
The educational trip was organised in collaboration with the European Commission in Malta and focused on a series of engaging, reading and writing activities related to the places of interest they visited.

Table 62: Writing Stars Secondary Schools, 2020 56 Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Writing Unites Us!

initiative was launched in March.

Children were urged to send photos of their writings.

During this period 128 stories, poems or cartoons were uploaded on the programme’s Facebook page.
Date School Class Reaches 20-Mar St Monica Junior School, Birkirkara 20-Mar St Monica Junior School, Birkirkara Year 2 Year 4 21-Mar St Aloysius Junior School, Ħal Balzan Year 5 23-Mar St Monica Junior School, Birkirkara 23-Mar Żurrieq Primary School Year 3 Year 5 23-Mar Sacred Heart Junior School, St Julian’s Year 3 23-Mar Ta’ Kerċem Primary School Year 6 24-Mar St Joseph Junior School, Blata l-Bajda Year 3 24-Mar St Catherine's High School 24-Mar St Jean Antide, Junior School 24-Mar St Jean Antide, Junior School 25-Mar 25-Mar Mġarr Primary School 25-Mar BCJS 26-Mar Our Lady Immaculate, Junior School 26-Mar Our Lady Immaculate, Junior School 27-Mar Ħaż-Żebbuġ Primary School Year 6 Year 5 Year 3 Year 7 Year 5 Year 3 Year 5 Year 4 Year 6 518 336 517 412 681 233 449 1,196 2,656 576 521 826 402 486 1,209 3,206 277 27-Mar Mtarfa Primary School Year 5 1,207 27-Mar Xagħra Primary School 30-Mar St Paul's Missionary, Junior School 30-Mar Ħ’Attard Primary School 30-Mar Ħ’Attard Primary School 31-Mar Ta’ Kerċem Primary School 31-Mar Gudja Primary School 1-Apr Gudja Primary School Year 5 Year 6 Year 6 Year 4 Year 3 Year 4 Year 4 292 204 336 393 276 438 466 1-Apr San Ġwann Primary School Year 6 1,079 2-Apr BCJS 2-Apr St Monica Junior School, Birkirkara Year 4 Year 3 804 750 2-Apr Qala Primary School Year 1 1,533 3-Apr Żejtun Primary School 3-Apr Mġarr Primary School Year 5 Year 5 508 489 57 3-Apr St Monica Junior School, Birkirkara 6-Apr Gudja Primary School Year 4 Year 6 512 530 6-Apr Birżebbuġa Primary School Year 6 1,985 6-Apr Gudja Primary School 7-Apr Pembroke Primary School Year 6 Year 7 419 234 7-Apr Ħal Qormi San Ġorġ Primary School Year 4 1,150 7-Apr Paola Primary School 8-Apr San Ġwann Primary School 8-Apr St Monica Junior School, Birkirkara 8-Apr Għajnsielem Primary School Year 6 Year 7 Year 4 Year 3 413 395 434 980 9-Apr Ta’ Sannat Primary School Year 5 1,850 9-Apr St Monica Junior School, Birkirkara 9-Apr Għajnsielem Primary 13-Apr St Francis Junior School, Msida 13-Apr Gżira Primary School Year 2 Year 3 Year 4
 668 814 1,930 1,362 14-Apr Our Lady Immaculate, Ħamrun Form 4 928 14-Apr Qala Primary School Year 1 2,036 15-Apr Our Lady Immaculate, Junior School Year 4 813 15-Apr St Monica Junior School, Birkirkara Year 6 1,294 15-Apr St Monica Junior School, Gżira Year 6 669 16-Apr 16-Apr De La Salle College 17-Apr BCJS 1,406 Form 1 1,823 Year 4 861 17-Apr Għajnsielem Primary School Year 5 1,410 17-Apr Mġarr Primary School 20-Apr Għarb Primary School 20-Apr Xewkija Primary School 21-Apr San Ġwann Primary School 21-Apr Paola Primary School 21-Apr Ħal Lija/Balzan/Iklin Primary School Year 6 Year 6 Year 5 Year 4 Year 6 Year 3 513 828 1,580 1,331 450 754 22-Apr Valletta Primary School Year 5 1,440 22-Apr De La Salle College Form 1 1,236 23-Apr St Jeanne Antide, Junior School 23-Apr Qala Primary School 27-Apr Tal-Ħandaq Middle School 1,044 2,354 917 Year 5 Year 7 58 27-Apr San Ġwann Primary School 27-Apr Ħamrun GP Primary School 27-Apr Nadur Primary School 28-Apr Ħamrun SS Primary School 28-Apr Xagħra Primary School 28-Apr Għajnsielem Primary School 29-Apr Għajnsielem Primary School 29-Apr Nadur Primary School 29-Apr Xagħra Primary School 30-Apr Ħaż-Żabbar B Primary School 30-Apr Middle School, Gozo College Year 6 Year 6 Year 5 Year 6 Year 4 Year 6 Year 5 Year 1 Year 6 Year 4 Year 7 30-Apr Archbishop Seminary, Junior School Year 6 850 436 1,531 1,693 1,305 789 668 463 651 291 518 876 4-May Archbishop Seminary, Junior School Year 6 1,630 5-May Ħaż-Żebbuġ Primary School 5-May Għajnsielem Primary School 6-May Għajnsielem Primary School 7-May Għajnsielem Primary School 7-May St Aloysius Primary, Ħal Balzan 8-May Għajnsielem Primary School 8-May St Aloysius College, Ħal Balzan 12-May Ħamrun GP Primary School 12-May St Monica Junior School, Birkirkara 13-May Paola B Primary School 13-May Ħamrun GP Primary School 14-May Ħamrun SS Primary School 14-May Xagħra Primary School, Gozo 19-May St Monica Junior School, Birkirkara 19-May Archbishop's Seminary Year 6 Year 6 Year 5 Year 6 Prep 5
 Year 4 Prep 5 Year 4 Year 3 Year 6 Year 6 Year 4 Year 5 Year 3 Year 6 782 1,162 2,803 1,064 580 872 463 454 672 430 468 918 810 1,014 1,668 20-May St Paul’s Missionary College Form 4 479 26-May Gozo College Middle School Form 1 2,110 26-May Ħamrun GP Primary School Kinder 2 611 27-May St Francis Junior School, Birkirkara 27-May St Monica Junior School, Birkirkara 28-May Xgħajra Primary School Year 2 Year 3 Year 6 1,191 1,115 444 29-May Ħamrun SS Primary School Year 3 2,249 59 3-Jun Qala Primary School 3-Jun Archbishop’s Seminary 4-Jun St Monica Junior School, Gżira Year 5 Year 5 Year 6 1,105 1,148 947 4-Jun St Monica Junior School, Birkirkara Year 3 1,495 5-Jun St Monica Junior School, Birkirkara 5-Jun Ħamrun SS Primary School 9-Jun St Monica Junior School, Birkirkara 10-Jun Archbishop's Seminary, Rabat 11-Jun St Aloysius College, Ħal Balzan Year 3 Year 3 Year 3 Year 6 12-Jun St Monica Junior School, Birkirkara Year 4 15-Jun Ħal Lija-Balzan-Iklin Primary School 16-Jun Żokrija Secondary School 17-Jun St Monica Junior School, Birkirkara 18-Jun Ħal Qormi San Ġorġ Primary School 18-Jun St Aloysius College, Ħal Balzan 19-Jun St Monica Junior School, Birkirkara 22-Jun St Monica Junior School, Birkirkara 22-Jun St Aloysius College, Ħal Balzan 23-Jun St Monica Junior School, Birkirkara 24-Jun Żokrija Secondary School Year 4 Year 6 Prep 5 Year 3 Year 4 Prep 5 Year 4 2-Jul Ħamrun GP Primary School Year 7 Year 9 6-Aug 7-Aug 10-Aug 11-Aug 12-Aug 13-Aug Total 907 1,014 1,145 616 263 910 1,029 347 942 261 279 731 395 164 404 164 182 1,737 1,632 429 295 381 969 114,590 Table 62: Writing Unites Us, 2020 The Agency in collaboration with the Ministry for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning, launched a writing competition as part of the Saving Our Blue campaign with the aim of raising further awareness on the importance of safeguarding the marine environment of our islands.
The competition encouraged primary and secondary school pupils promote the conservation of our seas and beaches through their creative writing skills.

All participating children were given a certificate and a memento from both entities.
60 Year Entries 3 and 4 (Primary) 5 and 6 (Primary) 7 and 8 (Secondary) 9 to 11 (Secondary) Total 35 45 19 12 111 Table 63: Saving Our Blue campaign, 2020 4.6 Ismagħni Naqra/Talking Books Project The Talking Books Project is a joint initiative between the National Literacy Agency and Malta Libraries.

The project aims to make the Aqra Kemm Tiflaħ books within each class library available to all children, including children with visual impairment.
This is being achieved by converting books into audio books at the Talking Books Unit within Malta Libraries.

In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic no books could be recorded.

4.7 Ir-Rimonta Ir-Rimonta is a Maltese literacy intervention programme designed for middle school students who are struggling to read and write.

The aim of the programme is to help students master their basic skills and become confident readers in 100 sessions, over a period of 20 weeks.
Il-Punt tat-Tluq assessment tool, reading running records and class observations were carried out to assess students’ reading and writing skills prior to the commencement of the intervention programme.

The intervention programme involves one-to-one daily sessions led by an educator and 2 learning support educators.

In March, during the school lockdown, an online version of this programme was offered to the students using Microsoft Teams.
Unfortunately, out of 13 participants, 4 students participated on a regular basis, 3 students participated in a few sessions and 6 students never turned up.

5 Schemes 5.1 L-Għodda f’Idejk Through l-Għodda f’Idejk, the Agency provides and distributes books and other resources in Maltese and English among primary, middle and secondary schools to support, facilitate and encourage good literacy practices, such as shared reading, creative writing and storytelling.
Furthermore, this scheme provides support to primary schools that invest in banded reading books and other resources.

In this case, the cost is shared between the school and the Agency.

During this period, the Agency distributed 1,742 books and 717 posters, flashcards, and other educational resources among all primary state schools.
Furthermore, the Agency supported 29 primary schools, by partially funding the purchase of 6,892 reading books, 49 educational resources, 18 bookshelves, 9 Bug Club subscriptions and 1 Oxford Owl e-book library subscription.
Maltese Books English Books Posters 1,651 91 31 Other Educational Resources 686 Table 64: L-Għodda f’Idejk resources, 2020 61 Dyslexia Friendly Resources During this period, the Agency distributed dyslexia-friendly resources to schools working towards dyslexia friendly practices and strategies.
1,205 dyslexia friendly resources, including Maltese and English alphabet magnetic letters, magnetic whiteboards, sand timers, pencil grips, reading rulers, overlays, finger spacers, reading comprehension card sets, tangles and sentence flips, were distributed to primary schools.

5.2 Bil-Ħila Tagħkom Bil-Ħila Tagħkom encourages the production and dissemination of innovative resources to promote Maltese.
Several educators, including class, literacy and kindergarten teachers have benefitted from this scheme.

Their original work was published by the Agency in collaboration with local publishing houses and disseminated in several state schools.

The published resources include big books, reading books, flashcards, posters, eBooks, apps, educational board games, jigsaw puzzles, CDs, and animated video clips.
Resources have been made readily available to early years and primary school educators while the animated video clips have been uploaded on the Agency’s YouTube channel.

Digital books and apps may be downloaded free of charge on tablets and mobile phones from Google Play play.google.com In 2020, these resources were published through Bil-Ħila Tagħkom scheme to promote good literacy practices such as shared reading, reading aloud and creative writing.
Resource Big books Reading books eBooks/apps Posters Total Quantity 8 10 1 18 37 Table 65: Number of resources produced by the Agency through Bil-Ħila Tagħkom Scheme 2020 62 Title Bluna u l-Lift Is-Serp ta’ Ħafna Rjus Kull Staġun Iġib Rigal L-Ikla Bnina tan-Nanna Nina Is-Sħaba l-Imqarba Nhar San Martin Mamà, Mamà, Għandi l-Ġuħ!

Min se Jagħlaq Sninu?

Oh, What a Crunch...

When it's a Healthy Lunch!
Title Baħar il-Mewt u Reċti Oħra għall-Istudenti Big Books Author Eliza Portelli Adapted by Josette Grech Maria K. Pace Anton Falzon Illustrator/Photographer Matt Stroud Matt Stroud, based on the ideas of Jason Vella Sue Flask Sue Flask Type Big book Big book Big book Big book Year 1 Audience Publisher Horizons Klabb Kotba Maltin Horizons Horizons Year 1 KG 2 Year 3 Maria Attard Janet Vella Big book Year 3 Kite Group Nicolette Borg Jason Buhagiar Big book Year 1 NLA Anton Falzon Zvetlana Magro Big book Year 1 Horizons Sabina Sixsmith Naomi Gatt Big book Year 2 Kite Group Reading Books Author Illustrator/Photographer Type Mario Azzopardi Luca Azzopardi Play scripts Audience Publisher Secondary students Merlin Publishers Il-Ktieb tal-Primarja Tarcisio Zarb Marisa Attard Workbook Year 6 BDL Il-Vjaġġ tal-Unikornu San Ġorġ Preca College Clive Gerada Reading book Year 3 Kite Group Indur mal-Ħin Dorienne Catania Donald Camilleri Non-fiction Year 4 L-Għasfur tal-Kwiekeb Charles Casha Matthew Stroud Reading book Year 4 Klabb Kotba Maltin Klabb Kotba Maltin Il-Mawra Tiegħi fl-Ispazju Beppe Caruana & Olivia Galea Seychell Nasim Dardouri Reading book Year 4 BDL Mill-Pinna tal-Brillantini tal-Kitba NLA NLA Poetry & stories Middle school students Horizons Ninħasel Biex Inkun Nadif Angèle Marie Haber BDL Reading book KG 2 BDL Poems & Dreams Katriel Zammit Offset Press Ltd Poetry Year 11 Offset Press Ltd The Wild Swans Maria Mifsud Matthew Stroud Libretto Year 6 Kite Group Title Author Illustrator Ittri Kkuluriti 2 Rosette Cardona Albert Pace Apps/eBooks Type App Audience Publisher Foreign students & Year 3 NLA Table 66: Resources produced by the Agency through Bil-Ħila Tagħkom Scheme 2020 5.3 Bis-Sehem Tagħkom/Promoting Good Practice Bis-Sehem Tagħkom is a scheme whereby local publishers are invited to submit original teaching and learning material for publication in Maltese.
Selected projects are funded up to €2,500 per project by the National Literacy Agency.

These resources include big books, reading books, books with augmented reality, flashcards, posters, digital books/apps, animated video clips and educational games.
63 The cartoons and video clips are uploaded to the National Literacy Agency’s YouTube channel www.youtube.com/channel/UC4cF5Bubg5ZRYAOCFAqLa0A and can also be accessed through the website www.malti.skola.edu.mt Resource Big books Reading Books Cartoons and video clips Educational games Total Quantity 2 16 6 2 26 Table 67: Number of resources produced by the Agency through Bis-Sehem Tagħkom Scheme, 2020 Big Books Title Author Illustrator Publisher Type Audience Goru l-Granċ Svetlene Marie Grima Rita Tagħmel Ħabiba Ġdida Doris Schembri Greta Borg Carbott Christine Mizzi Klabb Kotba Maltin Horizons Big book Year 1 Big book Year 1 Title Dawra ma’ Wiżżu Fonzu l-Fenek u Sħabu Author Rebby Vella Suzanne & Michael Piscopo Kelma għal Kelma: Teżawru tematiku Malti Dwayne Ellul Kelma għal Kelma: Teżawru tematiku Malti Online Dwayne Ellul Lellux u Peprin L-elf mistoqsija ta’ Dino Ricciolino dwar il-virus Corona Wiżżu ħdejn il-baħar L-Ors fl-Istaġuni Carmel G. Cauchi Chiara Battistelli translated by Joanne Micallef Rebby Vella Reading Books Illustrator Laura Wall Publisher Type Audience Wise Owl Reading book Year 2 Michael Piscopo Kite Group Comic Year 4 Merlin Publishers Merlin Publishers Luca Azzopardi Horizons Onda S. Faraxa Publishing Thesaurus Year 11 Thesaurus online (80 licenses) Reading book Year 11 Year 5 Reading book Year 3 Laura Wall Wise Owl Reading book Year 2 Maria Francalanza Nicole Diacono Horizons U għexu kuntenti għal dejjem Ruth Frendo Fleur Sciortino & Daniel Mercieca Write Deal Association U komplew jgħixu kuntenti għal dejjem Ruth Frendo Fleur Sciortino & Daniel Mercieca Write Deal Association Wiżżu jmur l-iskola Wiżżu fiż-żu Wiżżu jagħlaq sninu Wiżżu fir-razzett Wiżżu jmur jixtri Wiżżu ħdejn il-baħar Rebby Vella Rebby Vella Rebby Vella Rebby Vella Rebby Vella Rebby Vella Laura Wall Laura Wall Laura Wall Laura Wall Laura Wall Laura Wall Wise Owl Wise Owl Wise Owl Wise Owl Wise Owl Wise Owl Poetry book Reader with augmented reality Reader with augmented reality Year 3 Year 3 Year 3 Reading book Year 1
 Reading book Reading book Reading book Reading book Reading book Year 1 Year 1 Year 1 Year 2 Year 2 64 Is-Sagrifiċċju tal-Għoġol tad- Deheb Ruth Frendo Shanice Farrugia Pro.Motion Ltd Reader with augmented reality Middle School Cartoons & Animations Title Author/Illustrator Vocalist/Narrator Emme - It-Tielet Episodju Emme - Ir-Raba’ Episodju Emme - Il-Ħames Episodju Emme - Is-Sitt Episodju Clare Azzopardi & Matthew Stroud Clare Azzopardi & Matthew Stroud Clare Azzopardi & Matthew Stroud Clare Azzopardi & Matthew Stroud Kenneth Scicluna Kenneth Scicluna Kenneth Scicluna Kenneth Scicluna In-Nemel Mary Anne Zammit Mariele Zammit Animator/ videographer Matthew Stroud Matthew Stroud Matthew Stroud Matthew Stroud Matthew Stroud Dawwarli Poeżija X’se naqbad indoqq?
Trevor Zahra Trevor Zahra Kevin Kiomall Type Audience Cartoons Cartoons Cartoons Cartoons Animated nursery rhyme Animated poem KG - Year 1 KG - Year 1 KG - Year 1 KG - Year 1 KG - Year 1 Year 4 & 5 Educational Games Title Paniku Skrami Author Illustrator Publisher Type Audience BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL BDL Educational game Educational game Middle School Year 6 Table 68: Resources produced by the Agency through Bis-Sehem Tagħkom Scheme, 2020 5.4 Books are your Best Friend!
In March, the Agency in collaboration with the Ministry for Social Justice and Solidarity launched a new initiative to promote reading books in Maltese and English to all residential homes.

Each home was donated an array of high-quality appealing books of different genres, featuring both fiction and non-fiction titles.

The main aim is to promote the benefits and pleasure of reading amongst children and teenagers.
During these turbulent times, reading for children and young adults in care can help them cope with the challenges brought about by this pandemic and discover the wonderful world of books.

During this period, the Agency distributed 1,716 books to 18 residential homes, reaching more than 200 children.

5.5 Little Stars Library After the closure of schools in March, the National Literacy Agency in collaboration with the Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society launched the Little Stars Library.
Through this project children aged 1 to 18 years were encouraged to read at home during the pandemic.

Through this scheme between April and July the Agency distributed 1,926 books.
65 Age Batch 1 Batch 2 Batch 3 Food Aid 1 Food Aid 2 Food Aid 3 Total by age Total 767 874 119 78 54 34 1,926 Table 69: Number of beneficiaries of the Little Stars Library, 2020 6 Units 6.1 The Literacy and Support Unit (LISU) The Literacy and Information Support Unit, within the Agency, offers support to all school libraries in Malta and Gozo and supports schools in both the technical and the curricular aspect of libraries.
LISU provides support to schools through: • Selecting and cataloguing books • Designing new libraries • Processing and weeding library books • Organising literacy related activities • Promoting a whole school reading culture within primary, middle, and secondary schools • Supporting schools on library management software • Providing professional development • Promoting Information Literacy Skills, and • Creating book lists for teacher librarians and educators.
66 In 2020, the LISU supported 28 middle, secondary, and post-secondary schools, and 68 primary schools.

31,509 books were processed for use in school libraries.

Processing entails weeding, cataloguing and classification of resources as well as inputting information about books in the Library Management Software.

During this period, the Agency weeded 1,299 books in middle and secondary schools.
Through LISU the Agency assists middle and secondary schools in creating and maintaining libraries in language classrooms.

This support includes the dissemination of books in various languages.

In the first three months of 2020, the Agency extended the Aqra Kemm Tiflaħ/Enriching Classroom Libraries to secondary schools.

This was done in collaboration with Educational Officers, respective Heads of Schools, and language teachers.
Due to the pandemic, the National Literacy Agency’s plan to extend the Aqra Kemm Tiflaħ/Enriching Classroom Libraries to more secondary schools was postponed to 2021.
In 2020, the Agency procured 622 books in Maltese, English, Italian, Spanish, and German to boost the classroom libraries of the language classes of Ħal Kirkop middle school, as follows: Books Ħal Kirkop Middle School English French German Italian Maltese Spanish Total 281 0 27 240 37 37 622 Table 70: LISU books distribution, 2020 In 2020 Ħal Kirkop Middle School, Ħad-Dingli Secondary School, and Verdala secondary schools signed the terms of agreement of the Aqra Kemm Tiflaħ programme but due to COVID-19 the Agency could only distribute books and resources to the first school mentioned above.
As part of Aqra Fis-Sajf, middle and secondary state and church schools were invited to open their school libraries one day a week during the summer months.

18 schools participated, i.e.

4 middle schools, 6 state secondary schools and 4 church schools.

The National Literacy Agency supplied these libraries with infrared thermometers, visors, and hand sanitiser to be compliant with COVID-19 regulations.
67 Schools Ħad-Dingli Secondary School Tal-Ħandaq Secondary School Ħal Kirkop Secondary School Mosta Secondary School Naxxar Middle School Rabat Middle School Sacred Heart Minor Seminary, Gozo Sacred Heart College Junior School, St Julian’s St Aloysius College St Paul's Missionary College Students who borrowed books Borrowed books Students who used library 2 2 4 21 101 7 14 2 2 10 21 157 5 20 15 8 64 5 23 25 101 7 27 23 Total 151 217 298 Table 71: Students’ use of school library during Aqra fis-Sajf, 2020 Work on the integration of school libraries with the public library’s library management system in collaboration with Malta Libraries continued.
In January, 3 primary schools, 5 secondary schools, and 1 literacy resource centre migrated from the old library software (Oliver) to the new library software (Vsmart).

In February and March, the Agency organised 6 training sessions on the VSmart circulation system for the teacher-librarians of these schools.

Throughout 2020, the following schools completed the final migration process.
These included 2 post-secondary schools, 1 secondary school, 4 junior and senior church schools, and the Special Learning Difficulties (SpLD) library.

Another joint project between the Agency and Malta Libraries was the enhancement of the virtual library with an additional 1,143 children’s and young adults’ eBooks.

During the past 3 years, 4,598 eBooks were made available.

These eBooks can be accessed free of charge on digital reading platforms such as tablets, mobile-phones, and personal computers.
In the first quarter of 2020, the Agency distributed 2,122 dyslexia friendly books, graphic novels, and high interest/low readability (hi-lo) to all state middle and secondary school libraries and to several public libraries.

7.1.1 World Book Day To celebrate the World Book Day 2020, the Agency organised several competitions.

Due to school closure participation was significantly lower than in previous years.

Further information may be viewed in Tables 72 and 73.
68 Primary Schools Year Competition Category KG 1 – 2 Create a story box 3 – 6 Create a mask of a character from a book Year 7 & 8 Year Middle schools Competition Category Design a poster with the theme, Reading takes you Everywhere Secondary schools Competition Category 9 – 11 Create a bookmark with a favourite quote from a book.
Table 72: World Book Day competitions, 2020 2020 KG 2 1 3 4 5 6 8 9 Government Schools Church/Independent Schools Total Schools Entries Schools Entries Schools Entries Total 3 3 Table 73: World Book Day participating schools, 2020 Winners from each year group were presented with a book voucher and a certificate.

Table 74 highlights the winners in each category.
69 Category & Year 1st KG 2.11 KG 2.12 1st 2nd Year 1 Year 1 School Kinder 2 College/Locality Mosta Primary A Marija Reġina College Year 1 Sacred Heart College Junior School Sacred Heart College Junior School St Julian’s St Julian’s Year 3 1st Year 3.1 Siġġiewi Primary St Ignatius College 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd Year 4 Year 4 Year 4 Year 5.3 Year 5 Year 5 Year 6 Year 6 Year 6 1st Form 2 Alpha Year 4 Sacred Heart College Junior School Sacred Heart College Junior School St Francis School St Julian’s St Julian’s Victoria Year 5 Siġġiewi Primary St Francis School St Francis School Year 6 St Francis School St Francis School St Francis School Year 8 St Joseph Senior School Year 9 St Ignatius College Victoria Victoria Victoria Victoria Victoria Tas-Sliema 1st Form 3 Hope St Michael’s School Santa Venera Table 74: World Book Day winners, 2020 A book voucher was presented to all participating schools.
7.1.2 Book Champion Schools In the first quarter of 2020, the LISU invited schools to submit a report on the activities they have organised to promote reading and literacy and to celebrate World Book Day.

Participating schools were declared Book Champion Schools and rewarded with a gold, silver or bronze certificate, and book vouchers.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the award-giving ceremony was not held.

36 schools participated in this competition, as may be viewed in Table 75.
Primary Government Schools Primary Church & Total Independent Schools 24 5 Secondary Government Schools Secondary Church & Independent Schools 4 3 Table 75: Book Champion schools, 2020 29 Total 7 70 Table 76 shows the Book Champion schools of each category.
Bronze Award School College/Locality Laura Vicuna Primary School Victoria Ħad-Dingli Secondary School St Nicholas College Mariam Al-Batool St Francis School Silver Award Paola Victoria Ta’ Sannat Primary School & Special Unit Gozo College Mosta B Primary School Marija Reġina College Żurrieq Primary School Mġarr Primary School St Benedict College St Nicholas College Immaculate Conception Secondary School Tarxien St Joseph Senior School Tas-Sliema Tal-Ħandaq Middle School St Ignatius College Gold Award De La Salle Junior School Sacred Heart Junior School Qala Primary School Xewkija Primary School Mellieħa Primary School Naxxar Primary School Gżira Primary School Sliema Primary School Floriana Primary School Marsa Primary School Paola A Primary School Tal-Pietà Primary School Valletta Primary School Vittoriosa St Julian’s Gozo College Gozo College Marija Reġina College Marija Reġina College St Clare College St Clare College San Ġorġ Preca College San Ġorġ Preca College San Ġorġ Preca College San Ġorġ Preca College San Ġorġ Preca College Ħal Qormi San Bastjan Primary School St Ignatius College Senglea Primary School Vittoriosa Primary School St Margaret College St Margaret College Ħaż-Żabbar A Primary School St Margaret College Baħrija Primary School St Nicholas College 71 Birkirkara Primary School St Theresa College Ħal Lija/Balzan/Iklin Primary School St Theresa College Ħal Tarxien Primary School St Thomas More College Żejtun B Primary School St Thomas More College Sacred Heart Senior School St Julian’s Pembroke Secondary School St Clare College Cospicua Middle School St Margaret College Table 76: Book Champion schools, 2020 7.1.3 Teacher-Librarian Meetings During 2020, due to the sudden closure of schools and restrictions after their reopening, only 2 meetings were held for the 67 teacher-librarians.
In the meetings the participants discussed the following issues: Utilisation of the SL28a form for school libraries.

• The World Book Day competitions during the World Book Week.

• Book purchasing through tenders and dynamic purchase system.

• The opening of libraries during Aqra fis-Sajf.

7.2 The Language in Education Policy Unit The Unit works in collaboration with the Language Policy in Education Committee to draw up language in education policies for the early, junior, and secondary years.
It also: • organises seminars for educators and parents/guardians on the use of languages with children and adolescents • creates resources and materials to promote bilingualism in educational settings • conducts research in schools on language use and ways in which teachers can enhance children’s bilingual development.

The project findings are used to support and inform the language in education policies.
In January and February, the unit organised 10 seminars and meetings for parents/caregivers, kindergarten educators and senior management teams to disseminate the recommendations outlined in the Language Policy for Early and Junior Years documents.

It also provided in-service training for educators on issues related to bilingual education.
Date 06-Jan 13-Jan 21-Jan 24-Jan 30-Jan Venue De La Salle College San Anton School St Joseph, Tas-Sliema St Anne Primary School, Marsaskala San Anton School 04-Feb Mellieħa Primary School Total Adults 55 5 48 20 4 5 137 Table 77: Language in Education Policy Unit educator meetings, 2020 72 Venue Adults Date 10-Jan 22-Jan 29-Jan Qrendi Primary School San Lawrenz Primary School (Gozo college parents) Ħal Għargħur Primary School 13-Feb St Anne Primary School, Marsaskala Total 29 47 31 27 134 Table 78: Language in Education Policy Unit parents’/caregivers’ meetings, 2020 During the COVID-19 pandemic the planned information sessions for parents/caregivers had to be cancelled.
In lieu of these sessions, the Unit created video clips for parents/caregivers on the use and value of bilingualism in families.

The collection of clips is entitled It-Tfal Bilingwi/Bilingual Children.

Table 81 summarises the information and data about these clips.
Title Views Promoting Maltese at home Mistoqsijiet dwar il-Bilingwiżmu L-Attitudnijiet lejn il-Bilingwiżmu Mistoqsijiet Komuni Il-Malti fil-familja Total 234 188 107 138 252 919 Table 79: It-Tfal Bilingwi/Bilingual Children online information sessions for parents/caregivers, 2020 Between October and December, the Unit organised 5 talks for parents/caregivers on the promotion of bilingualism.

These talks were held online via Microsoft Teams.


Date 19-Oct 28-Oct 11-Nov 26-Nov 09-Dec Total Participants 50 32 35 29 5 151 Table 80: Promoting bilingualism in families, 2020 Online workshops targeting childcare educators, entitled Language Development of Babies and Toddlers in a Bilingual context were organised in November.
Childcare educators attended workshops on language development in babies and toddlers, on speech and language difficulties, on the promotion of bilingualism and emergent literacy skills.

These workshops were delivered in 73 collaboration with Dr Daniela Gatt from the Department of Communication Therapy of the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta.
Date Session Title Speaker Participants 05-Nov Speech and Language Development Dr Daniela Gatt 12-Nov Speech and Language Difficulties Dr Daniela Gatt 19-Nov Promoting bilingualism in the Childcare Centre Dr Lara Ann Vella 26-Nov The development of emergent literacy skills Ms Miriam Schembri Total 64 75 57 48 244 Table 81: Online workshops for childcare educators, 2020 7.2.1 Research Output The following chapter was published in collaboration with the Centre for Literacy, University of Malta: Mifsud C.L., Vella L.A. (2020) Early Language Education in Malta.
In: Schwartz M. (Eds) Handbook of Early Language Education.

Springer International Handbooks of Education.

Springer, Cham.

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-47073-9_29-1 The report on language in use mathematics lessons and assessment was also complied.

This is a mixed- methods study of language used during mathematics lessons and the academic performance of Year 4 learners in a dual-language and a monolingual Mathematics examination.

Vella, L.A., Mifsud, C., & Muscat, D. (2020).


A Report on Language Use in Mathematics Education in Malta.

National Literacy Agency.

2 internal reports were also completed, namely: • Storytelling Schools: A report on educators’ use of strategies in their classroom • An evaluation of the Aqra Miegħi/ Read with Me Programme 7.2.2 The European Day of Languages The Unit coordinated the celebrations of the European Day of Languages.

A language competition was launched in July 2020.


Children and young adults were invited to take part in a competition: What do you dare to do in a foreign language?

by creating a short video clip which exhibits their skills in a foreign language.

There were 3 age-groups for this competition: • Ages 3 - 7 (15 participants) • Ages 8 - 11 (29 participants) • Ages 12 - 15 (10 participants) A total of 54 participants (33 females and 21 males) submitted their competition entries in 13 languages.
41 participants came from State schools, 11 from Church schools and 2 from Independent schools.

13 winners were chosen.

These winners were awarded vouchers and gifts donated by the Representation of the European Commission in Malta.

The winners were awarded by the Hon.

Owen Bonnici, Minister for Education and Employment in September.

7.2.3 Bilingual glossary for Mathematics Dr Lara Ann Vella and Mr David Muscat form part of a working group on the development of a bilingual glossary for mathematics.
The aim of the glossary is to compile a resource of words and expressions 74 which can be used as part of bilingual communication of mathematics, be it oral or written.

More specifically: • To encourage a level of consistency across learning contexts with regards to mathematical terms (English and Maltese) • To provide words that express nuances of meaning; this may support teachers in focusing more effectively on mathematical concepts and processes.
The sections of the glossary which have been concluded include (approximately 650 entries).

• Measurement (all topics) • Shape & Spatial relationships (all) • Number (Number & Counting, number relationships, place value, addition & subtraction).

7.2.4 The National Literacy Strategy (2021 - 2030) - consultation process.

The process for the drawing up of the consultation document The National Literacy Agency (2021- 2030) was initiated in 2020.

All in all, 29 stakeholders were contacted for feedback.
The feedback was analysed in relation to the recommendations in the draft strategy document.

7.3 Literacy Resource Centres The Agency manages 2 literacy resource centres, one in Malta and one in Gozo.

These centres cater to all education professionals who wish to make use of teaching books and resources.

Resources in both centres were selected on the recommendations of the heads of department literacy, literacy support teachers, class teachers, LSEs, and complementary teachers.
Both centres are open daily after- school hours and on Saturday mornings.

The Literacy Resource Centre (LRC) in Malta is housed within the National Literacy Agency’s premises in Ħamrun.

The collection boasts of 14,694 books and resources and includes 3305 new books and resources.

Since the LRC was incorporated into the Malta Libraries circulation system, new members were registered directly with Malta Libraries.
The literacy resource centre in Gozo is located within the Gozo College Sannat Primary School and has a collection of circa 4,000 resources.

7 Continuous Professional Development (CPD) sessions The National Literacy Strategy highlights the importance of promoting professional development opportunities for educators in literacy teaching and learning.
7.1 At National Level Once a month the Agency organises a full day of Continuing Professional Development in literacy strategies and issues for the College Literacy teams, (heads of department literacy, literacy support teachers, representatives of the complementary teachers, assessment for learning personnel, specific learning difficulties support teachers and representatives of the e-learning department) at the National Curriculum Centre, Ħamrun.
During 2020, the following topics were covered during the continuing professional development training sessions: • Children’s Literacy Development • A Balanced Literacy Approach to Teaching Reading and Writing • Using Guided and Shared Reading to develop a life-long love of reading • Storytelling Methodology 75 • Symbol Literacy • Reading Recovery.
7.2 Aqra Miegħi/Read with Me Programme Training Sessions The Agency organises training for volunteers and parents/caregivers who apply to deliver this programme in schools, public libraries, and community and parish centres across Malta and Gozo.

The reading volunteers are supported by mentoring visits and continuous professional development sessions throughout the year.

In 2020, an hour’s seminar was held for the Mother and Baby Club in Attard.

25 parents attended the seminar.


6 training sessions were organised for reading animators as can be viewed in Table 82.
Date Title Participants Hours 01-Sep Training in Microsoft Teams 03-Sep Training in Microsoft Teams 03-Nov How to create an online learning experience for pre-schoolers 25-Nov Artificial Intelligence project 25-Nov Reading for Pleasure CPD, National Literacy Trust UK 09-Dec Reading for Pleasure CPD, National Literacy Trust UK Total 15 15 27 11 24 24 116 1 1 1 2 1.5 1.5 8 Table 82: Continuous professional development training sessions for Reading Animators, 2020 7.3 Ġenituri l-Ewwel Għalliema/Parents the First Teachers The course consists of a series of 5 sessions and offers parents/caregivers of babies and toddlers aged 0 and 3 practical linguistic and communication skills.
Parents/caregivers attend together with their children and participate in interactive, language and literacy activities.

Parents/caregivers are encouraged to implement these activities at home to help their children develop language and literacy skills from an early age.

In 2020, the Agency organised 1 course in Qawra with the participation of 6 parents/caregivers.
their children develop to help tips 7.4 Collaboration with the Institute for Education The Agency participated in the delivery of literacy modules for educators within courses organised by the Institute for Education.
Date Module Jan - Feb Literacy - Primary Subject Methodology Jan - Feb Reading and Writing Development Course B. Ed SLIEN Feb - Mar Award in Embracing a Literacy Strategy and the Language in Education Policy Stand-alone module Table 83: Courses for educators, 2020 76 During this period, the Agency also delivered several courses for parents/caregivers as can be viewed in Table 84.
Date Topic Place 13-Jan L-Ortografija tal-Malti St Ignatius Middle School, Qormi 24-Jan School libraries, Public Libraries and Children Institute for Education 01-Apr Qari mat-tfal bejn 5 u 10 snin Institute for Education 29-Apr Intejbu l-esperjenza tal-qari ta' uliedna Institute for Education 13-May Writing strategies for parents Institute for Education 22-May Logħob u riżorsi għat-tagħlim tal-Malti Institute for Education 27-May L-Ortografija tal-Malti Institute for Education Table 84: Courses for parents/caregivers, 2020 The Agency worked in collaboration with the Institute for Education to accredit 2 courses developed by the NLA.
The Training Course in the Methodology of the Nwar Literacy Programme was accredited at MQF Level 7 while the Award in Teaching Writing Skills in Primary and Secondary Schools was accredited at MQF Level 6.

Due to the lengthy accreditation process, both courses could not organise in 2020.
8 Sponsorships and Agreements During this period, the National Literacy Agency signed 2 partnership agreements, as follows: Date 01-Jan 01-Jan Entity Duration Bank of Valletta (Aqra Miegħi) Malta Libraries (Aqra Miegħi) 1-year 1-year Table 85: National Literacy Agency partnership agreements, 2020 77 9 Conclusion The closure of schools in March 2020 to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, led to schooling being moved online for the rest of the school year.
Although the Ministry of Education and Employment strove to ensure that vulnerable students had access to online learning, “evidence shows that learners who were already faced with challenges before this crisis are particularly hard hit now, and at risk of falling further behind1.

(Di Pietro et al, 2020, p. 312).


Addressing the learning loss which occurred throughout this pandemic is critical, particularly for students from less advantaged backgrounds, those with disabilities, those who were struggling academically before the COVID-19 crisis, and those who lost motivation during the lockdown (Di Pietro et al, 2020, p. 313).

The challenge throughout the scholastic year 2020 – 2021, is to reach all students and ensure they receive the necessary support to succeed.
The National Literacy Agency is a vital stakeholder in the national plan to address this post-COVID reality and to provide support to vulnerable students with literacy difficulties.

Throughout 2020, when the Agency moved most of its programmes and services online, it registered active participation from children and their families.

There was widespread interest in both the live and recorded videos which were uploaded on the Agency’s Facebook pages.
Online training sessions for educators and parents/caregivers registered a substantial increase in attendance and participation.

There was also a marked increase in attendance during the summer intervention programme organised by the Reading Recovery and Nwar programmes.

In 2021, the Agency will evaluate its programmes and services which were offered online during the pandemic and determine what type of provision should be organised, whether online, face-to-face or through a blended approach.
The Agency is determined to focus on intervention and literacy catch-up services which target vulnerable and at-risk students, the distribution of books and resources to schools, and the early literacy programmes.

The Agency plans to boost its summer intervention programmes mainly SURF, Klabbsajf and Aqra fis-Sajf and offer intensive catch-up literacy services to children who require additional support.
To ensure the most vulnerable students are reached, the Agency will work with schools to ensure these services are prioritised for children who encountered setbacks in 2020 due to school closure.

It is imperative that intervention programmes such as Reading Recovery are reintroduced as face-to-face provision as soon as it is viable and safe to do so.
Other intervention programmes, especially after-school programmes, such as Nwar, may be offered online or through a blended approach to ensure accessibility and to maintain the increase in participation registered in 2020.

It is also crucial to offer additional support to parents/caregivers on how to support their children’s literacy development and how to access the freely available resources which may be used at home.
Both online and face-to-face training sessions for parents/caregivers should be organised in the morning/afternoon and evening to ensure these sessions are accessible to both stay-at-home and working parents.

1 Working Paper (2021) Equity in access, inclusion, and success for all in education and training – Policy debate, Council of the European Union 2 Di Pietro, G., Biagi, F., Costa P., Karpiński Z., Mazza, J.
(2020) JRC Technical Report: The likely impact of COVID-19 on education: Reflections based on the existing literature and recent international datasets.

Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.

3 Di Pietro, G., Biagi, F., Costa P., Karpiński Z., Mazza, J.

(2020) JRC Technical Report: The likely impact of COVID-19 on education: Reflections based on the existing literature and recent international datasets.

Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.
78 As the Agency moves towards a shift in educational provision, Agency staff will require additional training to create professional online sessions on how to maximise the teaching and learning experience.

It is imperative Agency staff continue to hone their professional skills to maintain the high level in quality provision the Agency is known for.

In conclusion, this report demonstrates the Agency’s ability to offer high-quality provision despite these unprecedented challenges.
In 2021, it is paramount the National Literacy Agency synergizes its programmes and initiatives, and adopts a flexible approach in the implementation of its services whether face-to-face, online, or through a blended approach to reach all families, most notably the most vulnerable children in our schools and communities.

David Muscat CEO, National Literacy Agency 79