Tensions rise over the abolition of the teacher appointment list in Cyprus

The Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth in Cyprus is facing backlash regarding the planned 2027 abolition of the teacher appointment list. Minister Athena Michaelidou stated that the government intends to develop a balanced system that recognizes teaching experience while incorporating necessary reforms. An advocacy group called 'Maintenance of the Appointment List' has gathered over 10,270 signatures calling for the system's preservation and improvements to existing recruitment exams. The POED teachers' union has refused to attend meetings with the ministry, demanding that the government provide its proposals in writing first. Minister Michaelidou criticized this refusal as unconstructive and inflexible. The ministry plans to present a formal proposal by the end of July 2026 before submitting a revised bill to the Parliament in the fall. The government maintains that the legislative framework for ending the list has been in place for a decade.