teachers strike — teachers strike — Parents are voicing strong concerns about the upcoming teachers’ strike, arguing that students are being unfairly used as bargaining chips in union negotiations. The Pancyprian confederation of parents’ associations has publicly expressed its dissatisfaction with the decision by the secondary school teachers’ union, Oelmek, to proceed with a walkout on Thursday, December 18, scheduled from 7.30 am to 9.00 am.
- The issue is set to be further discussed by the confederation’s board of directors on December 18. As for Oelmek, the union has yet to publicly respond to the latest criticism from parents.
During a recent meeting on December 15, the confederation’s secretariat discussed the potential repercussions of the strike, recalling the significant disruption caused by a previous walkout on November 19. Many parents reported the difficulties faced by thousands of students and families during that time.
While the confederation acknowledges the essential right to strike as a fundamental human right—protected under article 27 of the constitution—it also emphasises the necessity of balancing these rights with the constitutional right to education, which is enshrined in article 20. Parents are adamant that they cannot support any action that temporarily deprives their children of access to schooling.
Although parents do not wish to impede anyone’s ability to advocate for their professional interests, they assert that a more responsible approach is paramount. The confederation is hopeful that upcoming parliamentary discussions on December 22 regarding a new teacher’s evaluation scheme will provide a resolution to the ongoing turmoil that has led to repeated strikes.
A central concern for parents is the disruption to morning transport, which they describe as a significant logistical challenge. With approximately 96,000 parents needing to drop over 48,000 students at schools by 9.00 am post-strike, the confederation contends that this scenario is “humanly unfeasible.” Many parents have fixed work hours and rely on established school transport schedules, making it impractical for them to adjust on short notice.
The confederation has urged the education ministry to consider these circumstances and implement the necessary arrangements to mitigate the impact on students. They believe it is the state’s responsibility to ensure that children are not caught in the middle of disputes they are not involved in.
Moreover, parents have firmly rejected the notion that strike action during school hours is a legitimate negotiation tactic. “Throughout this period, we have demonstrated a responsible attitude,” the confederation stated, “but we will not tolerate our children being used as leverage to assert union demands.”
The issue is set to be further discussed by the confederation’s board of directors on December 18. As for Oelmek, the union has yet to publicly respond to the latest criticism from parents.
