The focus keyword ‘teacher evaluation’ has become a contentious issue in Cyprus as Poed, the teachers’ union, has dismissed the education minister’s recent proposal for teacher evaluations. The rejection comes amid calls for an urgent meeting with Education Minister Athena Michaelidou and a looming threat of strike action if their demands are not met.
During a council meeting held by Poed’s 100 members, chairwoman Maria Vasiliou expressed disappointment over the proposal, which was submitted on October 2. The union’s council unanimously approved a resolution to reject the minister’s plan, arguing that it failed to address key issues within the current educational framework.
Vasiliou remarked, “The proposal does not improve the system, and many issues remain unclear.” She emphasised that Poed seeks a comprehensive teacher evaluation system aimed at actual improvement rather than a superficial measure. The union firmly stated that it would not accept any legislation that did not reflect its positions.
In a push for dialogue, Poed has called on the education minister to withdraw the proposal from parliament and engage in meaningful discussions to reach an agreeable solution. They urged parliamentary parties and MPs to refrain from voting on the bill until a consensus is achieved.
Oelmek, another teachers’ union, echoed Poed’s sentiments and went further by appealing directly to President Nikos Christodoulides to retract the bill. The unions argue that the education ministry’s proposal mirrors a previous one that had already been rejected by teachers.
“We did everything we could for a year to reach an agreement with the ministry,” said Poed’s general secretary Charis Charalambous, indicating the union’s frustration over the lack of progress. He confirmed that the board would remain in continuous session from Monday to assess the situation and decide on potential actions.
Vasiliou highlighted that Poed had previously submitted a 55-page letter outlining their positions and expressed doubt that the minister had even reviewed it. She reiterated that they could not endorse a proposal that undermined their members or the public education system.
Poed’s vice president Apostolos Skouroubatis added that the proposed amendments were intended to enhance the educational system and benefit students, a goal they believe the ministry’s proposal fails to achieve. Vasiliou concluded by stating that parliament should not be the venue for social dialogue, which should be resolved between employers and trade unions, lamenting the executive power’s shortcomings in this regard.
