A 28 per cent average pass rate was achieved by students who sat for the September 2015 secondary education certificate (SEC) after attending revision classes organised by the Ministry for Education and Employment.

The figure was given by Education Minister Evarist Bartolo in reply to a parliamentary question by Luciano Busuttil (PL).

The success rate for particular subjects ranged from 37 per cent in English language (207 passes) to 13 per cent in physics (63 passes). For maths the pass rate was 32 per cent (156 passes) and for Maltese language it was 28 per cent (133 passes).

A total of 1,085 students availed themselves of the revision classes in these core subjects, offered for free by the ministry.

Answering other questions by Dr Busuttil, the education minister informed Parliament that 1,567 pupils attended breakfast clubs between September and December 2015.

This service, offered every day in all State schools, is available for primary students whose parents are in employment.

It gives the opportunity for students to have a healthy breakfast before school starts while interacting with other students through play and other activities.

The minister said €122,885 had been spent on the breakfast club since last September to cover staff costs and consumables.

Younger children below school age can attend free childcare, which is offered by 92 operators, an increase of 23 over those participating when the scheme was launched in April 2014.

Since then, €15.5 million have been invested in these childcare services.

In reply to questions by Claudio Grech (PN), Mr Bartolo said 15,580 work permits were issued by the Employment and Training Corporation over the last three years.

Eight per cent (1,286) of these permits were issued to EU citizens. Third country nationals were issued with 7,943 such licences, 51 per cent of the total.

Another 35 per cent were issued to 5,411 asylum seekers, making up the next largest group of recipients of ETC employment licences.

Most permits, 28 per cent, were issued under the category of elementary occupations.

Mr Bartolo explained that since July 2014, ETC has not been the sole public agency issuing work permits allowing foreign workers to be employed in Malta.