Cypriot teachers protest against new education ministry appointment reforms

Cypriot teachers' unions, including POED, OELMEK, and OLTEK, have organized a mass protest outside the Presidential Palace on Thursday, October 8, 2026. The action follows the rejection of the Ministry of Education’s updated proposal regarding a new teacher appointment system, which the unions argue fails to address long-term job insecurity and does not provide a clear path to permanent employment for experienced staff.

The core of the dispute involves the proposed creation of a "closed registry" for educators. Unions contend this system leads to temporary, insecure appointments and perpetuates existing injustices for thousands of teachers currently serving through appointment lists. Furthermore, representatives oppose requirements that would force currently employed teachers to sit for new exams to gain permanent status.

Education Minister Athena Michaelidou has defended the updated proposal as "fair and balanced," maintaining that it considers both experienced educators and those who have passed existing exams. She stated that the ministry does not consider the situation a deadlock and has allowed a one-week period for written feedback on the proposal. While the minister insists the dialogue remains ongoing, the unions have reached out to President Nikos Christodoulides for intervention, signaling a firm stance against the government's current administrative plans.