Teachers protest at presidential palace over appointment system

On Thursday, October 8, 2026, hundreds of teachers organized by the POED, OELMEK, and OLTEK unions held a protest outside the Presidential Palace in Nicosia. The educators expressed strong opposition to the Ministry of Education's updated proposal regarding the teacher appointment system, which they argue fails to safeguard the career prospects of long-serving contract staff and creates risks for future school staffing starting in 2027.

Education Minister Athena Michaelidou described the unions' reaction as excessive, asserting that the ministry's proposal addresses most of their concerns. However, the unions insist that the proposed 'closed registry' does not offer professional stability. During the demonstration, union representatives delivered a joint memorandum to Deputy Government Spokesman Yiannis Antoniou, calling for a fairer and more comprehensive solution. Antoniou has committed to facilitating meetings within the next 15 days to explore potential resolutions to the ongoing dispute.

Separately, the Cabinet announced a new initiative to provide healthy breakfasts to students in sports-focused gymnasiums and lyceums following their morning training sessions, backed by an annual budget of €250,000 starting next school year.