SEC revision classes cater to around 840 students each year, 60% improve their grades
The SEC revision classes, offered by Jobsplus and Youth Guarantee, have helped over 5,000 students since their inception, Ylenia Vella, a senior executive and Unit manager within Jobsplus, told The Malta Independent on Sunday.The SEC revision classes
The SEC revision classes, offered by Jobsplus and Youth Guarantee, have helped over 5,000 students since their inception, Ylenia Vella, a senior executive and Unit manager within Jobsplus, told The Malta Independent on Sunday.
The SEC revision classes allow students who intend to resit their Matsec exams in the second session of the year to attend free classes to prepare and improve their results.
In an interview, Vella was asked how many students generally apply for SEC revision classes every year, and whether there has been a trend of applicants increasing or decreasing year by year. She answered that the average number of applicants per year stands at around 840 and that the number of applicants has fluctuated over the years without any consistent pattern to determine an increase or decrease. She added that overall, the data indicates variability in the number of applicants each year.
The Malta Independent on Sunday asked Vella what the general impact on students' resit performance is when they participate in the revision classes. She replied that there are detailed statistics linking the revision classes to resit outcomes which indicate that 60% of the participants improved their grades in the resits. She added that the emphasis on providing targeted support and structured learning environments indicates that these classes likely contribute to improved results in the resit session. "In addition," she continued, "89% of the applicants continued to further their education in post-secondary settings."
Discussing why initiatives such as this are important, Vella said that these classes contribute significantly to the applicants' academic success and help them broaden their future opportunities. She remarked that the support from these classes encourages students to persist in their studies, which can ultimately lead to better job prospects and further education opportunities.
"This aligns with the broader goals of the Youth Guarantee programme, which aims to ensure that young people acquire the skills needed for the labour market and avoid long-term unemployment," she commented.
She continued that these initiatives provide targeted help for students who may be struggling with specific subjects or in preparing for their exams. This help is through the form of offering a more personalised approach in contrast to the regular classroom approach to teaching, she explained.
The revision classes concentrate on key areas of the curriculum, she said, adding that the classes help ensure that students are well-prepared for their exams and help reinforce knowledge as well as boost the students' confidence by ensuring that they have a solid understanding of the material ahead of the exams.
When it comes to applicant demographics in the classes, Vella said that the majority of applicants for 2024 are male, at 54%, while 46% are female. She added that over 99% of applicants fall in the 15-24 age category, with 29 years being the maximum age for the programme currently. Birkirkara, Zabbar, Marsascala, Mosta and Fgura are the top five localities, she added.
She said that 99% of applicants for the 2024 revision classes fall in the 15 to 24 age category with a handful of older youths enrolling as well.
The Jobsplus Unit manager continued that programmes such as these ensure that all students have access to additional educational resources regardless of their socio-economic background. "This helps bridge the gap between students who can afford private tutoring and those who cannot." She added that having additional support systems in place proves to significantly motivate students by letting them know that there are resources and people that are aiming to help them succeed. She said that this can ultimately improve their engagement with their studies.
Asked about the general feedback from those who have participated in the revision classes, Vella said that the feedback from students has generally been positive. She continued that participants have appreciated the structure and support provided by the classes and that students have highlighted the benefits of having access to free lessons, past papers and online resources, which have helped them prepare effectively for their resit exams.
She remarked that the ability to choose up to three subjects, including Mathematics, English, Maltese, Biology and Physics, has been particularly appreciated. The newsroom inquired about potential plans to eventually expand the subjects offered. She responded that, for now, the focus remains on the core subjects.
"Overall, the SEC revision classes are seen as a valuable resource that significantly aids students in improving their academic performance and advance in their education journey," she concluded.
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