The National Literacy Agency together with the President’s Trust Foundation have launched the Second National Readathon in Primary Schools. Funds collected from this year’s edition will be used for educational resources for non-verbal children with autism in the early years.

The objectives of the Readathon are to promote a love for reading and to show solidarity with others. Pupils who participated in last year’s Readathon had to find sponsors to reward them for their reading efforts. Through the collected funds, and supplementary monetary support from a number of sponsors, additional assistive devices were bought for children with visual impairment.

The launch event of this year's edition was held at San Anton Palace and involved Year 3 pupils from Attard Primary School, St Nicholas College. During the launch, the Reading Ambassador Corazon Mizzi, Carmel Busuttil, and Saviour Darmanin delivered reading sessions for the pupils present.

President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca emphasised the importance of all children learning to read properly. She also highlighted the need of greater awareness of children’s specific educational needs and to provide all children with a positive learning experience. 

The National Literacy Agency will be issuing a letter circular about the Readathon to all primary schools. All children are encouraged to participate.