The Pancyprian Organisation of Greek Teachers (POED) has accused the government of "unjustified stalling" over the teacher appointment system, saying that concrete safeguards are still missing for both the employment future of teachers and the staffing of public schools after 2027. The statement, issued on Friday, comes days before a joint protest by the three main teachers' unions outside the Presidential Palace, with POED calling on its members to take part in large numbers.
Assurances without results, union says
In its announcement, POED said that since 2023 the teachers' unions have received repeated assurances which, in its view, have produced no substantive outcome. The union described the situation as "an alarmingly dangerous running down of the clock".
Temporary teachers and the end of the transition period
At the centre of the dispute is the employment future of teachers who have served in public schools for many years, as well as the future of the system once the transitional period ends in 2027.
POED stressed that the state has for years relied on temporary teachers to meet the real needs of schools, and argued that their many years of service cannot be accompanied by prolonged job insecurity.
Criticism of the Ministry of Education
The union was particularly critical of the Ministry of Education. According to POED, the working document of 29 July 2026 and the positions that followed have not so far provided the safeguards the teachers' unions are seeking.
POED also said that no "convincing or clear answers" were given at subsequent meetings, and rejected the repeated reference to opinions of the Legal Service as a sufficient explanation for the delay.
Teachers on indefinite contracts
According to POED, the issue of teachers employed on indefinite contracts also remains unresolved. The union noted that inclusion in a temporary mechanism for covering needs does not in itself secure their employment future, and accused the ministry of treating teachers with many years of experience and service in public education as "expendable".
Concerns over school staffing after 2027
POED warned that any shortcomings in planning for the period after 2027 would not be limited to the employment consequences for teachers, but would affect the operation of schools and, ultimately, pupils.
The union recalled that the ten-year transitional period from 2017 to 2027 allowed schools to be staffed through both the list of eligible candidates (diorisimoi) and the appointment list (dioristeoi).
Joint demands of the three unions
POED's position forms part of a joint front with the Organisation of Greek Secondary Education Teachers of Cyprus (OELMEK) and the Organisation of Technical Education Teachers of Cyprus (OLTEK).
The three unions have already made clear that they are seeking an amendment to the existing framework that would ensure both the uninterrupted staffing of public schools after 2027 and the fair treatment of teachers, regardless of which list they are on.
Protest and press conference
POED is calling on its members to participate in the joint mobilisation of the three unions, which will take place on Thursday 8 October at 5pm outside the Presidential Palace. According to the union, the aim is to send the message that decisions on teachers' employment status and the future of public education must be taken "with seriousness, dialogue and clear guarantees".
POED, OELMEK and OLTEK have also announced a joint press conference on Monday 5 October, at which they are expected to set out their positions in detail and outline their next steps.
