Teacher unions and ministry consult on new appointment system in Cyprus

Teacher unions in Cyprus, including POED, OELMEK, and OLTEK, have begun a series of consultations with the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth to address the proposed new educator appointment system. The unions met in late August 2026 to coordinate their response to the ministry's proposal, which was delivered in late July. They expressed strong opposition to several aspects of the current plan, specifically regarding the potential victimization of current temporary or substitute teachers and the requirement for additional examinations for permanent status. The unions argue that the current legislative framework, set to expire on August 31, 2027, must be modified to ensure fairness and consistent staffing.

Minister Athena Michaelidou has maintained that the ministry is open to dialogue while emphasizing the need for legal compliance. As the new school year approaches, discussions are ongoing, with individual meetings scheduled between the minister and each union between August 27 and September 1. Key concerns remain regarding the structure of the closed registry and the appointment process post-2027. Meanwhile, authorities have announced measures to ensure school security during the start of the 2026-2027 academic year, including police patrols and surveillance to prevent unauthorized gatherings on school grounds.