Yesterday's meeting at the Ministry of Education did not ease tensions, and the written version of the revised proposal sent to education unions later in the day appears unlikely to change their course.
POED, OELMEK and OLTEK are proceeding with their planned demonstration outside the Presidential Palace tomorrow, Thursday, with their governing bodies meeting today to effectively confirm the decision.
The proposal, presented verbally in the morning and subsequently provided in writing, now clarifies what the Ministry of Education means when it speaks of safeguarding those already working within the system.
At the same time, it confirms that there has been no movement on the central sticking point of permanent appointments. Teachers on indefinite contracts and those working on fixed-term contracts will only be able to secure permanent positions through the appointment eligibility list, with the ministry citing case law and ruling out automatic permanent appointments, while the education unions prepare to take to the streets.
Ninety minutes, same divide
The meeting with Education Minister Athena Michaelidou lasted slightly more than an hour and a half.
The ministry presented changes incorporated following the previous round of consultations and gave the unions one week to respond in writing ahead of another meeting, which could be the last before the proposal is sent to parliament.
Michaelidou sought to address each of the concerns previously raised by the unions.
She argued that there would be no staffing problems after 2027, that contract teachers, indefinite-term teachers and substitute teachers would be safeguarded through a closed register, and that those who have already passed examinations would not be placed at a disadvantage.
Where she left no room for misunderstanding was on permanent appointments.
As she made clear, permanent appointment will only be possible through examinations.
24-month requirement fuels tensions
One of the main changes in the ministry's revised proposal concerns the use of the closed register after the abolition of the existing appointment list.
For emergency staffing needs, namely fixed-term contracts and substitute positions, 50% of vacancies would be filled through the closed register and the remaining 50% through the appointment eligibility list.
Once the closed register is exhausted, all staffing requirements would be met through the appointment eligibility list.
The closed register would include those serving on contract at the beginning of the 2027-2028 school year, those working on contracts during 2026-2027, and those who worked on contracts during 2025-2026.
For teachers who do not fall into those categories, a requirement would be introduced for them to have completed a cumulative 24 months of service as substitute teachers in public schools during the previous five years by 31 August 2027.
According to information obtained by Politis, the 24-month requirement was one of the points that prompted a strong reaction from the education unions during their meeting with the minister.
The updated proposal also provides for the abolition of the pass mark in the written examination, turning it instead into a ranking examination, while retaining permanent appointments through the appointment eligibility lists.
No sign of de-escalation
Yesterday's meeting did not act as a pressure-release valve, something that was evident from statements made as union representatives left the ministry.
OELMEK president Konstantinos Konstantinou said that, “at first sight”, the serious and contentious issues remained unresolved.
POED president Myria Vassiliou made clear that the conditions had not been created for the unions to reconsider their planned protest.
POED, OELMEK and OLTEK are now awaiting the full written text before collectively setting out their positions.
Michaelidou, for her part, did not lower the tone either.
She expressed concern that the protests had been announced before the unions had seen the final proposal, saying this had left the ministry “puzzled”.
She also reiterated that permanent appointments can only be secured through examinations.
If that is the main reason behind the planned protest, she said, the unions “should think again”.
The minister also rejected an “all or nothing” approach, insisting that the ministry has addressed the principal concerns regarding staffing and the employment prospects of teachers already working within the system.
However, it has no intention of abandoning the core of the reform.
