Cyprus’s Minister of Agriculture Maria Panayiotou has been reappointed to the public education system, according to an announcement issued on Thursday by the Educational Service Commission.
Panayiotou, who is a qualified philology teacher in addition to her ministerial role, is included in a list of educators offered appointments that will take effect from 1 September 2026. All those listed are required to confirm by 20 February whether they accept the appointment.
If Panayiotou declines, the law provides that she will be removed from the appointments register, as a second suspension of the appointment is not permitted. The development follows last year’s controversy surrounding Panayiotou’s initial appointment to public education.
In August 2025, when she first received an appointment, Panayiotou submitted a request to the Educational Service Commission seeking a one-year suspension. The request was approved unanimously on grounds of public interest.
It marked the first time the commission had been asked to consider a suspension request from a serving cabinet minister.
Legal framework for appointment suspensions
Under existing legislation, appointment suspensions are typically granted for reasons such as health issues, pregnancy or the continuation of studies. However, the commission may examine other requests on a case-by-case basis.
In Panayiotou’s case, the commission determined that the circumstances justified a suspension in the public interest. The current reappointment now places the minister in a position where she must either accept the post or forfeit her place on the appointments list.
The commission’s announcement does not affect Panayiotou’s ministerial duties.