Secondary teachers’ union OELMEK has raised serious objections to provisions in the Education Ministry’s proposed overhaul of the teacher appointment system, saying the changes must protect educators already serving in public schools.
During a meeting with Education, Sport and Youth Minister Athena Michaelidou on Thursday, the union’s Central Administrative Council sought clarification on several points in the working paper it received on 29 July. The council will meet on Friday to adopt an official position.
Clarifications sought from ministry
OELMEK President Konstantinos Konstantinou told the Cyprus News Agency that the union had received answers on some issues, while Michaelidou had committed to addressing the remaining questions at another meeting.
“At the same time, we clearly outlined our serious disagreements with some of the document’s provisions,” he said.
Safeguards for serving teachers
Konstantinou said no change to the appointment system should result in serving teachers being disadvantaged.
He said indefinite-term, contract and substitute teachers had supported public education for years and gained considerable classroom experience. They must therefore have a genuine prospect of continued employment and permanent appointment, he added.
Konstantinou reiterated OELMEK’s position that these educators must be protected.
“If this cannot be achieved through the new system, then the List of Appointable Teachers must be retained,” he said.
Protection for successful candidates
OELMEK also wants safeguards for candidates who followed the procedures established by the state, sat the existing examinations and passed them.
“Changing the rules cannot retroactively invalidate the effort and expectations of people who placed their trust in the system itself,” Konstantinou said.
Further talks planned
According to Konstantinou, Michaelidou expressed her willingness to consider the union’s positions and concerns and said another meeting would be arranged soon.
OELMEK’s Central Administrative Council will meet on Friday to formally assess the ministry’s working paper.
“Dialogue is not a formality for us. It must be meaningful and lead to solutions,” Konstantinou said. “We are not opposed to change. We are opposed to any change that creates injustice and leaves teachers without prospects.”
Source: CNA
