Cypriot teachers unions protest against new appointment system
On Thursday, October 8, 2026, teachers' unions POED, OELMEK, and OLTEK are holding a protest outside the Presidential Palace in Nicosia. The educators are demonstrating against the Ministry of Education's latest proposal for a new teacher appointment system, which they argue fails to address the job insecurity of thousands of experienced professionals. The unions contend that the proposal, which includes a 'closed registry' model, does not guarantee permanent employment and perpetuates a cycle of temporary contracts and professional uncertainty.
Education Minister Athena Michaelidou has defended the ministry's updated proposal as a fair and balanced measure intended to rectify structural distortions that have accumulated since the 2015 reform. She emphasized that a dialogue process is currently underway and expressed surprise at the unions' decision to proceed with the protest rather than submitting written feedback. The minister explicitly stated that automatic permanent status is not permissible in the public sector.
While the unions acknowledge the necessity of reform, they maintain that the ministry's approach excludes many substitutes and leaves long-serving staff in limbo. The protest is expected to draw a significant crowd, with local police implementing traffic measures to ensure the peaceful conduct of the event. The unions are seeking a direct intervention from President Nikos Christodoulides to revise the ministry's current framework, signaling a deepening conflict between the government and the education sector.