Tensions rise over teacher appointment reform in Cyprus

Educational unions in Cyprus, including POED, OELMEK, and OLTEK, are preparing for potential strike actions following disputes with the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth (YPAN) over a proposed bill regarding the public school teacher appointment system. The unions argue that the ministry's plan creates uncertainty for the professional future of hundreds of teachers and ignores their feedback. In response, POED, OELMEK, and OLTEK have collectively reached out to the Parliamentary Education Committee to request an urgent meeting to voice their concerns.

The unions have scheduled internal meetings to discuss their next steps: POED will hold an assembly of its 100 general representatives on Monday, November 16, 2026, while OELMEK and OLTEK are set to meet on Thursday, November 19. Minister Athena Michaillidou intends to initiate dialogue with the unions early next week, with potential meetings slated for November 16 or 17, though no formal invitation has been finalized. The minister maintains that the reform's core philosophy, which includes a registry and triennial examinations, will proceed, with plans to submit the bill to Parliament by early December.

Separately, workers in the ministry’s support programs suspended a ten-day indefinite strike on November 11, 2026. The unions OEKDY-SEK and PASEY-PEO decided to resume work while awaiting a meeting with the President of the Republic to address labor demands, specifically guaranteed summer income and improved recruitment processes, warning they will escalate if progress is not made.