The Ministry of Education has unveiled its proposal for the teacher recruitment system that will replace the current appointments register, which is due to be abolished on 1 September 2027 under existing legislation.
The document is not a final government proposal but a working paper that will form the basis of consultations with education unions later this summer before legislation is drafted and submitted to parliament.
The main takeaway is that the ministry is not abandoning the philosophy of the system introduced in 2015. Instead, it is shifting its emphasis. Written examinations will remain, but teaching experience will carry greater weight, strengthening the position of teachers already working in the public education system compared with new entrants.
What the proposal includes
The ministry's proposal provides for:
- The removal of a minimum pass threshold in the written examination. All candidates would be ranked according to their score rather than being excluded for failing to achieve a set pass mark.
- A reduced weighting for the written examination, which currently accounts for 50% of the overall score. The new percentage has not yet been determined.
- Greater weighting for teaching experience, particularly for indefinite-term, contract and replacement teachers.
- A closed registry for contract and replacement teachers, with those meeting a minimum service requirement by 31 August 2027 receiving priority for temporary appointments.
- No change to permanent appointments, which would continue to be made through the official recruitment lists.
- Changes to the examination process, including the abolition of the current statistical moderation system, revised exam papers, the publication of sample questions and the holding of examinations every three years.
Key details still undecided
Several elements of the proposal remain open for discussion with education unions.
These include:
- The extent to which the weighting of the written examination will be reduced;
- The increase in weighting assigned to teaching experience;
- The minimum number of months of service required for inclusion in the closed registry;
- The duration of the registry's operation;
- The final eligibility criteria.
The ministry said these issues will be determined through consultation.
Why the changes are being proposed
In a written statement, Education Minister Athena Michailidou said the 2015 reform remains sound in principle but that its implementation exposed distortions requiring corrective action.
She said the aim is to create a more effective and reliable system that continues to uphold meritocracy while giving greater recognition to teaching experience and helping ensure sufficient staffing levels in schools from September 2027 onwards.
Michaelidou called on education unions to approach the proposal as a working document and submit suggestions during meetings scheduled for late August before the draft legislation is finalised.
