The Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) is an international assessment focusing on the reading literacy of fourth grade students (equivalent to Year 5 in Malta).

PIRLS is designed to measure children’s reading literacy achievement, to provide a baseline for future studies of trends in achievement, and to gather information about children’s home and school experiences in learning to read. The PIRLS study is conducted by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA).

Malta has now participated in PIRLS 2011, PIRLS 2016, and PIRLS 2021. While in 2011 students were assessed for their literacy proficiency in both English and Maltese, in 2016 they were assessed only for their reading proficiency in Maltese. In 2021, the test was available in both languages. Malta is currently participating in the latest cycle, PIRLS 2026, with the publication of results expected around December 2027.

For more information, visit the PIRLS website from here.