Bank of Valletta is renewing its collaboration with the National Literacy Agency in relation to the 'Read with Me' programme. The agreement was signed on Monday morning by Mr Mario Mallia, CEO at Bank of Valletta and Mr David Muscat, CEO National Literacy Agency, in the presence of Hon Evarist Bartolo, Minister for Education and Employment during a typical Read with Me session at the Naxxar Public Library.

The Read with Me programme promotes shared reading among very young children and their parents or carers. It was an integral part of the National Literacy Strategy launched in 2014. Over the past four years, the National Literacy Agency has opened over 60 centres across Malta and Gozo, and organises free reading sessions in both Maltese and English. Every year, the Read with Me programme reaches out to 4,000 children aged 0 to 3 years and their carers.

Mario Mallia had words of praise for the Agency and the valuable work it is undertaking. He spoke about the 'community' approach that this Programme adopts. "This Programme is unique in the way that it addresses literacy because it does not focus specifically on the children but is built on the whole 'family unit' thereby instilling a love for reading through sharing fun acitivities, involving the little ones and their carers." Explaining the link between the Programme and the Bank, he said, "Education holds a key role in our Community Programme, and this initiative addresses the very foundation of a holistic education, thereby making it a perfect fit."

Thanking Bank of Valletta for its support, Mr David Muscat said, "The Read with Me programme is the foundation stone of the implementation of the Literacy Strategy. Since its launch, we have launched another programme The Magic of Stories which is targeted at children aged 4 to 6 years of age."

In his concluding remarks, Hon Evarist Bartolo expressed his satisfaction at the keen response that the programmes launched by the National Literacy Agency have garnered among the general public. "The positive feedback received is the best certificate for all the hard work and dedication that is being undertaken by the Agency. It shows that there is recognition among carers as well as concerted effort to beat illiteracy. The Literacy Agency is providing much needed resources to make this a reality."

Further information about the 'Aqra Miegħi/Read with Me' programme:  facebook page 'Aqra Miegħi/Read with Me'.