Cyprus education minister addresses school reforms and appointment system controversies

As the 2026-2027 academic year begins in Cyprus, Minister of Education Athina Michailidou has outlined key government priorities, including a structural modernization of the educational system and a major building program valued at 126 million euros. This initiative includes facility upgrades, the construction of new schools, and the ongoing installation of air conditioning across all 800 schools, with student safety remaining the primary concern.

A central point of contention remains the teacher appointment system. Minister Michailidou has criticized the current model as anachronistic, noting that the 2015 legislative framework is no longer sufficient. While the government aims to finalize an updated, balanced proposal within the coming week, teacher unions have expressed strong opposition, fearing potential victimization of existing educators. The Ministry faces a practical dilemma regarding the planned 2027 abolition of the current appointment list, as relying solely on examination-based recruitment could lead to critical staffing shortages.

Looking ahead, the Ministry is preparing to introduce a new special education bill to Parliament by the end of September. Furthermore, a formative evaluation system for teachers is being implemented this year, with full scoring slated for 2028, despite objections from some unions regarding the current methodology.