The free SEC revision classes introduced last year resulted in a higher percentage of students passing resits, according to Education Ministry figures.

A total of 1,085 students applied for revision classes, a considerable number of them for more than one subject.

The largest improvement was for mathematics, which went up to 59.4 per cent last year from a 19 per cent pass rate for the September resits in 2013.

All other subjects also had an increased pass rate: to 19.6 per cent from 16.6 per for English; 43.2 per cent from 35.4 per cent for Maltese; and 51.7 per cent from 26.7 for physics.

The initiative, launched by the Youth Guarantee, provides free classes during summer in preparation for the September resit session. The initiative, which involved an intensive academic programme over a five-week period, was aimed at students who were either absent for the May session or whose grades in Maltese, mathematics, English and physics were below Grade 5.

Education Minister Evarist Bartolo said the classes had proved to be a resounding success and students were motivated to achieve the grades they required despite the intensity of the programmes. He noted that the attendance rate this year had improved, with more than 70 per cent of students regularly attending classes.

Parliamentary Secretary Ian Borg spoke about the benefits of the Youth Guarantee and noted that the revision classes were indeed contributing to this success. He said the Youth Guarantee was proving all its doubters wrong and the results being witnessed today were proof.

Dr Borg said that, through such an initiative, youths were being given another chance to succeed and to escape unemployment issues.