The Malta Union of Teachers is calling on the Ministry of Education to form a task force to discuss ways to attract more people to the teaching profession.

MUT president Kevin Bonello says on TimesTalk, which goes on air on TVM this evening, that the profession is not attracting as many people as it needs.

Only five new teachers are expected to join schools in the coming four years, when 200 per year are needed.

“Unless we address the problem, we will soon have a serious crisis, especially in primary schools,” Mr Bonello said.

He said people were being put off the profession because of inadequate working conditions and salaries which were not commensurate to teachers’ studies. Salaries range from €16,000 to €24,000 after 18 years.

“Contrary to perception, the teachers’ job is far from being cushy,” Mr Bonello said.

The programme discusses the results being achieved by the education system, especially in the context of illiteracy rates and complaints by employers that they are not finding enough trained workers.

Times Talk will be broadcast on TVM today at 10.05pm with a repeat tomorrow on TVM2 at 1.30pm.

The programme will be uploaded on timesofmalta.com tomorrow.