HUNDREDS of primary school children in west Belfast are improving their literacy through reading The Irish News.
Pupils at 19 schools have signed up to the Young News Readers critical literacy project.
They are being supported by the West Belfast Partnership Board as part of its west-wide strategy to improve literacy.
Several Irish-medium schools are among those taking part.
Pupils receive a copy of The Irish News School Edition every week for an eight-week period and a certificate of achievement on completion of the project.
The news is filtered to make it appropriate for a younger audience and ensure that pupils engage with and enjoy the project.
This year, the project has a special guest editor - Annette Kelly from Little Penny Thoughts, which promotes positive mental health and holistic well-being.
Teachers also receive a classroom resource booklet created by the head of literacy at St Mary's University College to guide them through the project and provide ideas for lessons.
