- 2018Implementation
- 2019Implementation
- 2020Implementation
- 2021Implementation
- 2022Implementation
- 2023Implementation
- 2024Implementation
- 2025Implementation
Background
To provide the best opportunities so that that each child can acquire the required literacy skills. The results obtained by Maltese students in international studies had mean reading scores below the international average.
Objectives
To help young children (six-year-olds) with literacy problems reach the level expected of them in reading and writing.
Description
In order to improve basic skills in IVET, the National Literacy Agency (NLA) launched in September 2018 the Reading recovery (RR) training programme in collaboration with the university college London. The programme consists of 100 hours of individual sessions over 20 weeks. The sessions are provided by teachers trained specifically in the methodology of RR. The programme lends itself to adaptations to meet the individual needs of each student.
The programme includes the training of teachers in the RR methodology by the University College London. Two courses are available: a postgraduate course for teachers, and a master course for literacy support teachers and heads of the literacy department. Those attending the master course will be able to train other teachers. Some pupils from the first cohort are on their way out from the programme since they have reached the required level in reading (Level 17 of the PM benchmark literacy assessment) and new pupils are being enrolled.
The first cohort of 90 learners benefited from RR during the academic year 2018/19. By the end of that year, four of them dropped out, 86 finished the course; of these, 72 (84%) reached the expected level while the other 14 (16%) were referred for further assessment and other intervention programmes.
By June 2019, 15 complementary and literacy teachers completed the reading recovery (RR) teacher-training course while seven heads of department (HODs) and literacy support teachers finished the first year of the masters RR leader course.
During the academic year 2019/20, 32 new complementary and class teachers started the RR teacher course. The RR programme was offered in 33 primary schools and 220 Year 2 students have benefited from it.
From mid-March 2020 to June 2020, teacher training was delivered through synchronous and asynchronous online forums since schools closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the school lockdown that followed disrupted the implementation of the programme in the 33 reading recovery (RR) primary schools in Malta.
In December 2020, the NLA recommenced the RR programme. Only 33 RR teachers could be assigned to learners. The remaining 17 RR teachers were unable to implement the intervention programme as they were assigned normal teaching duties following a shortage of teaching staff in schools. The shortage reflected the COVID-19 mitigating guidelines issued by the public health authorities for schools.
Due to pandemic restrictions, RR teachers were deployed in classroom 'bubbles', limiting daily sessions. In 2021, 32 primary schools received some form of RR support, 187 complete RR programmes delivered, with 158 children successfully discontinued (achieved age-expected literacy levels, the term discontinued has a positive connotation in the Maltese context especially for the RR programme).
RR provision was included in the Ministry for Education’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), aiming to train 250 children annually (total of 1 000 by 2024), and certify 85 teachers in RR methodology.
COVID-19 restrictions persisted in 2022; many RR-trained teachers were teaching full-time classes or covering absences.247 complete RR programmes were delivered, with 210 children successfully discontinued.
In terms of RR teacher training in March 2022,15 teachers began RR training (certified in July 2023), in November 2022: 13 complementary education teachers started training.
Also in 2022, visits by RR National leaders (Dr Sue Bodman & Ms Glen Franklin) in May and October 2022 ensured compliance with RR standards.
In January 2023, 24 teachers enrolled in RR initial teacher training.
Also in 2023, 544 RR programmes were delivered, with 410 children successfully discontinued.
In terms of achievements 85 teachers were trained by end of 2023.
Also in 2023, RR National leaders visited schools in Malta and Gozo in May and October 2023 to ensure compliance with quality standards for quality assurance.
In 2024, a total of 760 complete RR programmes were delivered; 599 children successfully discontinued from RR.
Regarding achievements, 7 teachers completed initial RR training.
Also in April and October 2024, RR national leaders continued their visits to ensure compliance with quality standards.
In 2025, between July and September from RR 102 children were supported in 16 schools. Another group of 331 students enrolled, increasing the number of schools implementing RR to 65.
In October–December 2025, 331 new children enrolled in the RR programme.
Also in 2025, through the RR Continuous Professional Development (CPD) there were :
- 100 trained teachers who have attended annual CPD (minimum 24 hours training spread over 6 sessions and receiving an on-site observation by their accredited RR Teacher Leader);
- this CPD adheres to standards and guidelines established by RR Europe and includes lesson analysis delivered by colleagues, assessment administration, and data entry into the Reading Recovery Evaluation Database (RRED).
Bodies responsible
- National Literacy Agency (NLA)
- University College London
Target groups
Education professionals
- Teachers
Thematic categories
Modernising VET offer and delivery
This thematic category looks at what and how individuals learn, how learning content and learning outcomes in initial and continuing VET are defined, adapted and updated. First and foremost, it examines how VET standards, curricula, programmes and training courses are updated and modernised or new ones created. Updated and renewed VET content ensures that learners acquire a balanced mix of competences that address modern demands, and are more closely aligned with the realities of the labour market, including key competences, digital competences and skills for green transition and sustainability, both sector-specific and across sectors. Using learning outcomes as a basis is important to facilitate this modernisation, including modularisation of VET programmes. Updating and developing teaching and learning materials to support the above is also part of the category.
The thematic category continues to focus on strengthening high-quality and inclusive apprenticeships and work-based learning in real-life work environments and in line with the European framework for quality and effective apprenticeships. It looks at expanding apprenticeship to continuing vocational training and at developing VET programmes at EQF levels 5-8 for better permeability and lifelong learning and to support the need for higher vocational skills.
This thematic category also focuses on VET delivery through a mix of open, digital and participative learning environments, including workplaces conducive to learning, which are flexible, more adaptable to the ways individuals learn, and provide more access and outreach to various groups of learners, diversifying modes of learning and exploiting the potential of digital learning solutions and blended learning to complement face-to-face learning.
Centres of vocational excellence that connect VET to innovation and skill ecosystems and facilitate stronger cooperation with business and research also fall into this category.
This thematic sub-category refers to acquisition of key competences and basic skills for all, from an early age and throughout their life, including those acquired as part of qualifications and curricula. Key competences include knowledge, skills and attitudes needed by all for personal fulfilment and development, employability and lifelong learning, social inclusion, active citizenship and sustainable awareness. Key competences include literacy; multilingual; science, technology, engineering and mathematical (STEM); digital; personal, social and learning to learn; active citizenship, entrepreneurship, cultural awareness and expression (Council of the European Union, 2018).
Teachers, trainers and school leaders competences
Competent and motivated VET teachers in schools and trainers in companies are crucial to VET becoming innovative and relevant, agile, resilient, flexible, inclusive and lifelong.
This thematic category comprises policies and practices of initial training and continuing professional development approaches in a systemic and systematic manner. It also looks at measures aiming to update (entry) requirements and make teaching and training careers attractive and bring more young and talented individuals and business professionals into teaching and training. Supporting VET educators by equipping them with adequate competences, skills and tools for the green transition and digital teaching and learning are addressed in separate thematic sub-categories.
The measures in this category target teachers and school leaders, company trainers and mentors, adult educators and guidance practitioners.
This thematic sub-category refers to all kinds of initial and continuing professional development (CPD) for VET educators who work in vocational schools and in companies providing VET. VET educators include teachers and school leaders, trainers and company managers involved in VET, as well as adult educators and guidance practitioners – those who work in school- and work-based settings. The thematic sub-category includes national strategies, training programmes or individual courses to address the learning needs of VET educators and to develop their vocational (technical) skills, and pedagogical (teaching) skills and competences. Such programmes concern state-of-the-art vocational pedagogy, innovative teaching methods, and competences needed to address evolving teaching environments, e.g. teaching in multicultural settings, working with learners at risk of early leaving, etc.
This thematic sub-category is in line with the EU policy focus on the digital transition, and refers to professional development and other measures to prepare and support teachers and trainers in teaching their learners digital skills and competences. It also covers measures and support for them to increase their own digital skills and competences, including for teaching in virtual environments, working with digital tools and applying digital pedagogies. Emergency measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic also fall into this sub-category.
European and international dimensions of VET
This thematic category covers both European and international cooperation in initial and continuing VET, aimed at promoting EU VET systems as a European education and training area and making it a reference for learners in neighbouring countries and across the globe.
Expanding opportunities and increasing participation of VET learners, young and adult, and staff in international mobility for learning and work, including apprenticeship and virtual and blended mobility, account for most initiatives in this thematic category.
Apart from established and financially supported EU cooperation, VET opens up to cooperation and promotion of European values and national practices beyond the EU, which is becoming a trend. This thematic category also encompasses internationalisation strategies, transnational cooperation projects and initiatives – including those where joint VET programmes, examinations and qualifications are developed – and participation in international skills competitions that promote the image of VET. Using international qualifications – awarded by legally established international bodies or by a national body acting on behalf of an international body – in the national VET systems and recognising them towards national qualifications is also in focus.
This thematic sub-category refers to transnational cooperation initiatives on VET and lifelong learning, including coordinated and jointly developed programmes among the EU Member States or beyond the EU, bilateral or multi-country: same curricula, one qualification, joint examinations.
Subsystem
Further reading
Country
Type of development
Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2026). Reading recovery (RR) training programme: Malta. In Cedefop, & ReferNet. (2026). Timeline of VET policies in Europe (2025 update) [Online tool].
https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/hu/tools/timeline-vet-policies-europe/search/28427