Read - Any time, any place! is the chosen slogan for the fifth edition of the National Readathon, launched by The Malta Trust Foundation and the National Literacy Agency, with the support of The Malta Public Transport.  

The purpose of this initiative is to foster a love of reading in children with different abilities and empower and encourage them to reach their potential. Funds for this project are raised by school children as well as the corporate partners of the Malta Trust Foundation in aid of the purchase of tailor-made, augmentative communication devices to assist the education of children who are non-verbal and on the autism spectrum and assistive devices for children with visual impairments to help them to read and follow the educational curriculum.

Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, President Emeritus and chairperson of the Malta Trust Foundation said the Readathon should be the catalyst to awaken children's literacy skills.

"Reading opens up an exciting world for children. The Readathon helps children to rediscover the power of reading. It captures their imagination and creates a desire in children to be more curious and interact with their educators and peers. This initiative instils a spirit of solidarity to help those who are unable to read or communicate in a traditional way."

Participating schools will receive a specifically designed leaflet to be used by students during the initiative. Once parents/guardians give their consent, as indicated on the leaflet, the students can look for sponsors. Sponsors can be family members and friends who are willing to sponsor the child's reading through a monetary donation. The person sponsoring the child may decide to donate for every page, book or number of hours spent reading. Collection boxes will be distributed in the participating schools for the funds collected by pupils. During the Readathon, Coleiro Preca, together with the Reading ambassadors and local influencers, will be visiting a number of participating schools to promote the initiative.

The Malta Trust Foundation and The National Literacy Agency would like to take this opportunity to encourage all state, Church and independent schools to encourage each pupil to participate and join this year's edition of the National Readathon.

Further details are available to all schools via the letter circular DLAP 077 issued by the Agency.