The secondary school teachers’ union OELMEK is threatening strike action and considering an appeal to President Nikos Christodoulides amid an escalating dispute with Education Minister Athena Michaelidou.
Sources within OELMEK told philenews that the minister’s Wednesday evening letter failed to address their long-standing concerns adequately.
The strike threat emerged from yesterday’s Pancyprian Conference of General Representatives, which unanimously authorised the union’s secretariat to take action if necessary.
Key issues include the teacher evaluation scheme and other secondary education matters, with OELMEK accusing the ministry of ineffective problem-solving.
The union has set January 10 as a deadline for the ministry to provide substantiated positions.
OELMEK insists the ministry must submit a complete teacher evaluation proposal with a financial impact study, warning of industrial action if their suggestions are rejected or if the ministry unilaterally proceeds with parliamentary approval.
The conference approved four resolutions concerning teacher evaluation, the ministry’s alleged ineffectiveness in solving secondary education issues, violence and delinquency in schools, and the union’s framework for demands.
The resolutions employ strong language and authorise leadership to take action if demands are not met.
The ministry expressed bewilderment at OELMEK’s stance. A ministry source told philenews it was “incomprehensible” that while discussing teacher evaluation, the union was demanding resolution of all other long-standing issues.
The ministry maintains it will continue its efforts to reform the teacher evaluation system, arguing that the union’s “levelling and nihilistic approach helps neither teachers nor society, which expects modernisation of the educational system”.
Minister Michaelidou’s letter addressed several issues, including alternative programmes for delinquent students, the Rapid Response Team, school security cameras, the 2027 appointments list termination, private schools legislation, and air conditioning installation in schools.
However, the union found these responses unsatisfactory, setting the stage for potential industrial action in the new year.
