The minimum requirement for the teaching grade is to be raised to the masters level MTeach, or level seven of the National and European standards, Education Minister Evarist Bartolo said in parliament this evening.
Replying to a parliamentary question, he said the current minimum requirements are at level six - BEduc or the PGCE.
Those who do not have those qualifications can be engaged as supply teachers until they are given a permanent warrant if they have the qualifications.
The minister said there is no teacher shortage but there are shortages in some subjects, notably English in secondary schools. Talks are being held with the Faculty of Education.
The minister also told Labour MP Silvio Parnis that between January 1 and September 6 this year, the government engaged 161 teachers, all Maltese.