Last Friday, the National Literacy Agency organized a Reading Ambassadors activity at Mqabba Skolasajf Centre run by the Foundation for Educational Services. The Hon. Minister for Education Evarist Bartolo together with the Reading Ambassadors Gilbert Agius, Gordon Bonello and Clara Farrugia read stories in Maltese and English to the pupils of the same centre.

Apart from the Reading Ambassadors, Mr Wilfred Cassar, the Head of School of Mqabba Primary, Mr Omar Farrugia, the Mayor of the locality, and Ms Margaret Zammit, Deputy Librarian of Malta Libraries, took part in this activity. Following the reading sessions, the pupils had the opportunity to discuss the book with the Ambassadors, and ask them questions about their reading habits. The Minister read the book 'Griġjo l-Qattus' written by Francesca Cutajar and illustrated by Zvetlana Magro, and discussed with the students the main themes of the book namely the importance of respecting others, including animals.

The aim of the Reading Ambassadors programme is to promote a positive attitude towards reading through organised activities in schools involving local personalities. The group of 30 Reading Ambassadors includes singers, actors, footballers, presenters, broadcasters and journalists.

From the inception of the programme in 2014 up to now, 200 Reading Ambassadors activities have been organized in primary and middle schools across Malta and Gozo. This activity formed part of a number of initiatives of the 'Aqra fis-Sajf' 2019 summer reading campaign currently being coordinated by the National Literacy Agency.