More than 850 applications were received for this year's SEC revision classes from students who did not pass the O-Level SEC exams, the Ministry for Education and Ministry for Home Affairs and Employment said in a statement on Wednesday.

The Ministries added that these applications were submitted to the Jobsplus agency, which organises the revision classes in collaboration with the Department of Education.

The revision classes are provided for free and focus on the subjects of Maltese, English, Mathematics, Physics, and Biology. The Ministries said that students aged between 15 and 29 who did not pass in those particular subjects are able to apply to attend the free revision classes, which take place three times a week over a period of five weeks in order to prepare the students for the September SEC resits. Each student is able to choose up to a maximum of three subjects, with lessons provided by professional teachers.

The Ministries said that 54% of applicants were men, with the most popular subject being Mathematics at 630 applicants. Following Maths, the subjects by order of applicants were Maltese (371), English (345), Physics (314), and Biology (91).

The classes are held during the morning at educational centres in Mosta, Blata l-Bajda, Paola, as well as Victoria for students in Gozo.

During a visit to one of the learning centres, Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri and Education Minister Clifton Grima spoke with some students and teachers.

Minister Camilleri said that over 5,000 students have applied for revision classes since the scheme was launched by Jobsplus, which he added has greatly helped to give the students a boost for their academic success and for greater opportunities in the future.

He continued that with the support of these lessons, more students are pushing to continue with their studies and increase their prospects of employment and education. He added that these lessons go hand in hand with the Youth Guarantee's objectives, aiming to help young people acquire needed trades for employment.

Minister Grima said that the education system gives all possible opportunities for students to be given support at every moment of their educational path.

He said that these revision classes are a "clear example of social justice", and that the initiative aims to encourage students to continue with their education and not give up. He added that there have been a good number of students who passed the September exam session after attending the revision classes.

Grima concluded by saying that the revision classes scheme is a reflection of the new National Strategy for Education, "through which we are putting the person at the centre, in this case, the student".