The Cyprus primary teachers’ union (POED) is preparing to roll out targeted actions to address increasing incidents of violence and delinquent behaviour in schools, its president Myria Vassiliou said, raising concerns over a growing trend in primary education.
Speaking to CNA following the publication of the Safe School Team’s annual report for the 2024-2025 school year, Vassiliou said the union has already taken steps towards engaging with the Ministry of Education and will soon proceed with specific initiatives aimed at managing and raising awareness around the issue.
She noted that incidents of violence and misconduct in primary schools are steadily rising, describing the situation as particularly troubling and a source of serious concern for educators.
Beyond school safety, Vassiliou pointed to a number of outstanding issues that require immediate dialogue with the Ministry. Among them is the need to address distortions in the new teacher appointment system and the list of eligible candidates.
She said recent exam results have once again highlighted structural weaknesses, warning that if current policies remain unchanged and the register of appointable teachers is abolished in 2027, schools could face difficulties in staffing.
POED’s position, she added, is that the register should remain in place and that corrective measures are needed without delay.
Vassiliou also stressed the importance of safeguarding the employment of teachers on indefinite contracts, noting that recently passed legislation is a step in the right direction and calling on the executive to implement it.
At the same time, she underlined a broader challenge facing the profession, pointing to declining interest in teaching globally and the need to ensure that the profession remains secure and attractive.
Commenting on new evaluation criteria approved by parliament, Vassiliou said the union’s views were largely taken into account, but flagged concerns over the timing and substance of the measures.
She described it as paradoxical that evaluation regulations were approved months before the criteria themselves and noted that the criteria are not ideal, urging the Ministry to be ready to address any issues that may emerge.
Vassiliou also called for greater preparedness from the Ministry ahead of the implementation of the new evaluation framework, stressing that any ambiguities must be clarified through dialogue and that education staff should be equipped with the necessary tools to apply the new system effectively.
Source: CNA