Education Minister Evarist Bartolo has promised to take action to ensure that all persons teaching in any school, even supply teachers, are in possession of a permanent or temporary warrant.

In a letter to Joseph Caruana, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Education, and Mario Caruana, president of the  Council for the Teaching Profession, Mr Bartolo said that it had resulted that there were shortcomings in the Education Act and administrative procedures which in the past few years pay have permitted people to teach in schools without being in possession of a warrant, with the necessary scrutiny not having been made.

He urged the two officers to identify the shortcomings with a view to their being addressed, by the end of May.

The statement was issued as the Education Ministry investigates circumstances related to the case a week ago yesterday when a 15-year-old girl, Lisa Marie Zahra, and her drama teacher were found at the bottom of Dingli Cliffs. The student was dead and the teacher was injured.

The Council for the Teaching Profession in a separate statement said Mr Tanti did not hold a temporary warrant and never applied for one. 

St Michael's School Foundation said yesterday that the teacher, Erin Tanti, 23, a supply teacher, was recruited in terms of the law and normal procedure.

"St Michael Foundation strictly adheres at all times to all procedures, rules and regulations stipulated by law in the engagement of its teachers and ensures that all teachers have the necessary approvals from the authorities," the foundation said.