The Association of Secondary Education Teachers Awaiting Appointment (SDEME) has leveled strong criticism at the educational factions that support maintaining the list of candidates for appointment, in response to the Ministry of Education’s proposal to modernize the Teacher Appointment System.
As stated in its announcement, the draft proposal was submitted by the Ministry of Education to teachers’ organizations on October 6, 2026, and within a short period of time, reactions were recorded from teachers’ factions in both secondary and elementary education.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
SDEME maintains that these reactions, in its assessment, demonstrate that these specific factions do not desire improvements to the New Appointment System (NSD) and seek to maintain the list of candidates for appointment.
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At the same time, the Association speaks of “hypocrisy and mockery of those eligible for appointment,” referring to the positions that, as it notes, are being repeated in the run-up to the October 8 mobilization, with the main demand being that the list of candidates for appointment not be abolished.
According to SDEME, the Ministry of Education’s updated proposal no longer disadvantages those on the lists who are already eligible for appointment, since, as it states, statistical processing will continue so that written exams from different testing periods can be compared.
The announcement reads as follows:
On October 6, 2026, the Ministry of Education submitted a working proposal to educational organizations regarding the modernization of the Teacher Appointment System. Within a very short time, we saw reactions from various educational factions, whether in secondary or elementary education, reactions that essentially demonstrate that a) they do not want improvements to the Teacher Appointment System, b) they seek to maintain the list of eligible candidates (this appears to be their sole objective), and c) they are not genuinely interested in safeguarding colleagues with recognized service in public schools, regardless of the list on which they appear.”
What strikes us as odd, however, is the hypocrisy and the mockery of those on the Appointees’ List by these movements, which, even today, in their announcements regarding the October 8 mobilization, continue to reiterate and emphasize their position that the list of Appointees should not be abolished— which is, in fact, the greatest injustice the candidates for appointment could possibly suffer!!! These movements, therefore, following the updated proposal from the Ministry of Public Administration and Decentralization—which has been improved and no longer disadvantages those on the lists who are already eligible for appointment— since statistical processing will continue to ensure that written exams from different testing periods are comparable, they are calling on those eligible for appointment to turn out en masse for the protest so that a strong message is sent and heard loud and clear: that the Ministry of Public Administration and Decentralization’s proposal will not be accepted and that we want the list of eligible candidates to be maintained.”.
We remind you that POED’s long-standing position is that the list of candidates for appointment must not be abolished and that both systems must be maintained FOREVER!!! We also remind you that the four movements collaborating within OELMEK—Progressive, DIKI, AFEK, and New Movement—upon assuming leadership of OELMEK (June 2026)—issued a Joint Framework of Principles, Positions, and Demands, which included the following: ‘We advocate for the preservation of the list of appointees…’”. We, as SDEME, because we genuinely seek to improve the National Staffing Plan (NSP) and safeguard our colleagues who have recognized prior service in public schools from both lists, have seriously and responsibly examined the Ministry of Education’s proposal and acknowledged its positive aspects, as well as points that require clarification and/or changes. These points should be discussed in detail and substantively in the dialogue that must follow.”
We believe that the proposal for the modernization of the Education Appointment System published by the Ministry of Education, is a proposal that reflects the Ministry of Education’s effort to meet these two objectives (improving the National Staffing Plan and safeguarding our colleagues). Furthermore, we believe that within the framework of dialogue and through an appropriate advocacy strategy, this proposal can serve as the basis for a smooth transition to the post-2027 era. Any protest—so that no colleague is wronged, regardless of which list they come from— as everyone claims to be seeking, should concern the delay in finding a fair solution and not the obstruction of legislative reform.”
What we must all demand, therefore, is the implementation of the legislation with the necessary conditions:
1) Protection for all colleagues with indefinite-term contracts, contract employees, and substitute teachers (with agreed-upon prior service).
2) Improvement of the National Staffing Plan so that it is functional, fair, and ensures an adequate number of teachers.
Any deviation from this specific framework will meet with our opposition and will create serious problems and undermine the credibility of teachers’ organizations. We believe that with seriousness, responsibility, and determination, we can achieve an improved National School Development Plan! We, as SDEME, declare our readiness for a genuine and substantive dialogue.”
