Four teachers are still needed to fill posts at secondary level, this newspaper is informed, down from 11 last week.

Another nine are needed to fill posts in resource centres, while another six teachers are needed part-time.

No teachers are needed at primary level, a government spokeswoman told the Times of Malta.

The teachers’ union [insisted] the government should have pre-empted the shortage and not attempted to address it after the start of the school year

The shortage of teachers made headlines recently, as it emerged that a number of posts were yet to be filled, even though the scholastic year kicked off a month ago.

As of last week, three teachers were needed at the primary level, two to teach music and another one to cover PSCD lessons, yet it seems that these posts have now been filled.

The total number of teachers needed at resource centres has remained unchanged, where four class teachers and a number to teach ICT, science and design and technology are required.

Earlier this month, the Education Department came under fire after an e-mail aimed at addressing the shortage was sent to all university students, asking those interested in teaching to apply. The e-mail was sent to all students, even those not following teaching courses, sparking outrage and raising concerns that the government was not taking the profession seriously.

The teachers’ union also criticised the move, insisting that it had long highlighted the problem and the government should have pre-empted the shortage and not attempted to address it after the start of the school year.

At the time, the Malta Union of Teachers also questioned the figures supplied to the media by the Education Minister, insisting that the shortage was even greater than had been suggested by the government.

The MUT and the government have been having a number of meetings to discuss new collective agreements, with the union demanding better working conditions for its members.