The Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, through the National Literacy Agency, is implementing the "Books Are Children's Friends" initiative during the 2025-2026 scholastic year. The initiative targets all primary school students, with the current cycle focusing on Year 1 pupils through the distribution of age-appropriate books.

Each child is receiving books in both Maltese and English, supporting their first steps in reading and fostering bilingualism, while also encouraging them to start or continue building a personal home library.

During a visit to the Archbishop's Seminary in Tal-Virtù, Rabat, Education Minister Clifton Grima distributed books to students as part of the initiative and visited several Year 1 classrooms. Together with Reading Ambassadors Carlos Farrugia, Ruth Frendo, Saviour Darmanin and Joe Grech, the Minister read excerpts to the children in an effort to stimulate enthusiasm for storytelling and reading, creating an engaging learning environment.

"This initiative addresses several objectives. We are nurturing a love for reading, helping children build a home library, and showing them how reading opens new horizons that are valuable for their future," Minister Grima said.

Since its launch in December 2023, following a commitment made in the Electoral Manifesto, the initiative has continued to expand. To date, more than 27,000 children attending state, Church and independent schools from Year 1 to Year 6 have benefited from the scheme, with over 108,000 books distributed nationwide. The ongoing investment reinforces the central role of literacy in children's educational development.

Throughout the 2025-2026 scholastic year, the initiative will continue reaching Year 1 students across Malta and Gozo, ensuring access to quality reading material that nurtures curiosity, imagination and a lasting appreciation for books.