Cyprus teacher unions and Ministry of Education in talks over new appointment system

During late August 2026, the three major Cypriot teachers' unions—POED, OELMEK, and OLTEK—began consultations with the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth regarding a proposed reform of the teacher appointment system. The unions held a joint meeting on August 25 to coordinate their response to the working document presented by Minister Athena Michaelidou at the end of July. Key concerns raised by the unions include the need to protect current educators from "victimization," ensuring adequate school staffing post-2027, and clarifying the status of existing appointment lists and the proposed closed registry.

Specific objections from the unions center on the requirement for examinations to secure permanent status, which they argue undermines the value of existing teaching experience. While the Minister has expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue, she maintained that existing legislation must be followed and that long-term solutions are required. Following initial meetings with the Ministry, unions are now awaiting formal written responses to their queries. Union officials, including OELMEK’s Andreas Mavratsas and POED’s Myria Vassiliou, have emphasized that their positions remain firm, calling for clearer principles before addressing technical implementation details. Discussions are expected to continue throughout the coming week as both sides aim to finalize a framework that balances reform goals with current labor concerns.