Changes to the teacher recruitment system dominated Tuesday's meeting of the House Education Committee, with Education Minister Athena Michaelidou saying she is ready to advance the ministry's proposal as early as next week, provided the remaining consultation issues are resolved.
At the same time, AKEL announced its intention to submit a legislative proposal to preserve the current system, warning that the planned changes could lead to "chaos".
Although the meeting focused primarily on preparations for the new school year, the issue of teacher appointments sparked intense debate.
Responding to questions from MPs, Michaelidou recalled that existing legislation provides for the abolition of the appointments list in 2027, with future appointments to be made exclusively through the examination system.
"In which country can you be appointed simply by submitting a degree?" she asked,
arguing that the ten-year transition period had created distortions that now need to be addressed.
Examinations required for permanent appointment
Michaelidou said the ministry's effort is moving in two directions:
- Correcting distortions within the examination system.
- Ensuring continued employment for teachers already working in schools.
"We are not going to throw people out," she said,
adding that service in public schools is recognised and valued.
At the same time, she stressed that the rights and legitimate interests of those who have passed the examination system and are awaiting appointment must also be taken into consideration.
Describing the proposal under discussion, she referred to a closed list that would allow teachers with prior service to continue working for a specific period and for specific staffing needs.
However, she made clear that permanent appointment would still require a qualifying examination, identifying this as the main point of disagreement with the educational organisations.
"We will bring forward a balanced proposal, without that meaning we will agree with everyone on everything."
She added that further meetings with the educational organisations will take place and that the proposed arrangements are being examined in cooperation with the Law Office.
AKEL plans legislative proposal
For his part, AKEL MP Christos Christofides announced the party's intention to submit legislation extending the current legal framework.
According to Christofides, the existing system allows new teachers to enter the profession while also safeguarding the employment of those who already possess teaching experience.
He warned that the proposed changes would create difficulties during the next academic year, telling the minister:
"You will be grateful to us for saving you from tremendous chaos."
Strong reaction from Michaelidou
AKEL's proposal to preserve the existing system prompted a strong response from the minister.
Michaelidou noted that appointment based purely on a candidate's position on the appointments list had already been judged outdated in 2015, when a ten-year transitional period was introduced to phase it out.
She argued that problems and distortions emerged during that transition period and that the ministry's current proposals are intended to address them.
However, she maintained that those issues cannot justify prolonging a system that has been regarded as outdated for more than a decade.
"In which country can you be appointed simply by submitting a degree?" she repeated.
Minister stands by new evaluation system
The meeting also addressed implementation of the new teacher evaluation framework.
Michaelidou insisted that formative evaluation will be introduced from the current school year in accordance with the law.
"I will not deny thousands of teachers the support they are entitled to," she said.
The minister added that while she understands concerns surrounding the reform:
"We cannot respond to every proposed change by saying that there is not enough time."
