The Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) said in a statement yesterday that towards the end of December it had written to the director-general of education to express its concern over the fact that people without a teaching warrant have recently been allowed to teach in state schools.

The union said such people are being allowed to teach subjects like drama and it appears they are enjoying full support from the authorities and financial support from banking institutions.

The MUT said it wants to make it clear that it is very positive and beneficial for the educational system to have people invited to conduct talks on various subjects every so often, as long as they are not aimed at providing formal education.

Such talks should only be conducted by regular, qualified teachers holding a recognised warrant in accordance with the Education Act, said the MUT.