The Educational Service Commission (EEC) has unanimously rejected a request by Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou for exemption on grounds of public interest in relation to her appointment to public education, according to information obtained by Politis.
As a result, her name does not appear in the revised appointment lists published on Friday.
According to the same sources, interventions were reportedly made in recent days by the Presidential Palace and members of the Council of Ministers, though not by the Agriculture Minister herself, seeking a second extension for Panayiotou.
The case
In August 2025, Panayiotou was initially appointed as a teacher of Greek language and literature, with effect from 1 September 2025. At the time, she submitted a request for a one-year suspension of her appointment, citing public interest due to her ministerial duties. That request was unanimously approved by the EEC.
Current legislation provides for suspension of appointment primarily on grounds of health, pregnancy or continuation of studies. However, the Commission examines other requests on a case-by-case basis, including instances where teachers reside permanently abroad and receive an appointment shortly before the start of the school year. In such cases, suspension is typically granted for one year.
Panayiotou was included again in early February 2026 in the list of appointees published by the EEC. In its announcement, the Commission invited teachers on the list to declare by 20 February whether they accepted their appointment, which is set to take effect on 1 September 2026.
Through her lawyer, the minister submitted a second request for suspension. That request was not accepted.
Right to appeal
Under the law, Panayiotou retains the right to file an objection against the decision. According to the EEC’s announcement, objections may be submitted to the Commission within fifteen days from publication, that is, from 27 February until 13 March 2026.