The Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth has announced special arrangements ahead of Thursday’s work stoppage by teachers’ unions POED and OELMEK, which is expected to disrupt normal school operations across all levels of public education.
According to the Ministry, POED’s work stoppage will run from 07:30 to 09:05, while OELMEK’s will run from 07:30 to 09:00.
School transport and staggered arrival times
Because teachers will not be on duty during the first two periods, morning school bus routes will not operate for kindergartens, primary schools, gymnasiums or lyceums. The only exception is Special Schools, where buses will run normally with arrival at 09:05.
Parents and guardians must therefore arrange transport themselves:
• Kindergarten and primary school pupils should arrive at 09:05.
• Gymnasium and lyceum students should arrive at 09:00.
For children transported by taxi to Special Units in primary or secondary education, parents are asked to contact drivers directly to shift pick-up times to 09:05 rather than 07:30.
All teachers are expected to resume duties once the work stoppage ends. Afternoon bus routes for student departures will operate as usual.
Absence rules for secondary education
In secondary general education, the Ministry clarifies that all absences recorded on Thursday will be logged but will not be counted towards students’ absence totals. This applies to all schools, including All-Day Schools of Special Interest.
Community kindergartens
The Ministry notes that Community Kindergartens operate as private institutions under the Private Schools Law (2019–2025), even when housed within public kindergarten buildings or municipal facilities. Their teachers are private employees, and operational decisions on the day of the work stoppage are made by their employers. Parents will be informed directly by each kindergarten.
Technical and vocational schools operating normally
Unlike general secondary schools, Technical and Vocational Education and Training schools will operate normally. Morning bus routes will run before 07:30, and students must attend with normal attendance procedures in place.
Specialty courses will run as scheduled. For classes in general education subjects taught by teachers participating in the work stoppage during the first two periods, schools will arrange supervised creative activities.
The Ministry urges parents and students to monitor communications from their schools and follow instructions closely to minimise disruption during the work stoppage.