Teachers' unions in Cyprus—POED, OELMEK, and OLTEK—have issued a joint warning to the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth, demanding a formal, written proposal regarding the reform of the educator appointment system. The unions expressed concern over ongoing delays and vague public statements, emphasizing that they will not accept the victimization of any union members as the current legislative framework nears its definitive end in August 2027.

The current system, which has operated as a transitional mechanism for a decade, is set to expire by the 2027-2028 school year. One proposal under discussion involves moving teachers currently on the appointment list into a "closed list," requiring them to pass exams under the new system to achieve permanent status. Unions firmly oppose this, advocating instead for the uninterrupted staffing of schools and fair treatment for all educators, regardless of their current list status.

In response, the Ministry of Education reiterated that it is currently preparing a working document to address long-standing distortions in the system. The Ministry expects to submit this document in the coming days, aiming to initiate a productive dialogue with the unions, the Legal Service, and other stakeholders to ensure that school staffing for the 2027-2028 academic year and beyond remains secure.