Cypriot teacher unions protest new appointment system

Teacher unions POED, OELMEK, and OLTEK have organized a protest outside the Presidential Palace in Nicosia, scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on October 8, 2026. The action follows the unions' rejection of the Ministry of Education's updated proposal regarding the new teacher appointment system, which they argue fails to address job insecurity and the professional prospects of thousands of educators who have served in public schools for years.

The core of the dispute involves the Ministry’s plans to transition away from existing appointment lists by August 31, 2027, and the implementation of a 'closed registry' system. The unions strongly oppose the 50-50 appointment model and the requirement for experienced contract teachers to undergo further exams for permanent status. Conversely, Education Minister Athena Michaelidou has labeled the protests 'excessive,' asserting that the Ministry is engaged in an ongoing consultation process and that automatic permanent employment in the public sector is legally impermissible.

While the Ministry maintains that its proposal is fair and aimed at correcting structural distortions established since the 2015 law, the unions are seeking direct intervention from President Nikos Christodoulides. Police have deployed measures to manage traffic and ensure the protest remains orderly under the Public Gatherings and Parades Law of 2025.