The new teacher appointment system is causing fresh turmoil in the education sector. Teachers’ unions argue that the old roster should be retained; according to legislation passed in 2015, it is scheduled to be abolished in August 2027, and onlyonly the list of eligible candidates, on which teachers secure a position through written exams.

MYRIA STATEMENT: The organization’s position is clear. Maintain the list of eligible candidates and correct the distortions in the list of eligible candidates. This will ensure that in 2027 our children will have teachers, while at the same time we do not push out of the system all those colleagues, who have been serving in public schools for years.

At noon, the Minister of Education met with OELMEK to present the ministry’s positions and discuss some of the teachers’ union’s demands.

“By the end of July—in just a few days—they will have the draft employment plan reflecting the Ministry’s positions. And I want to emphasize that this will not be our final position. We do not want to close the door on dialogue.” ^{Athina Michailidou, Minister of Education}

Athina Michailidou appeared willing not only to listen to the teachers’ positions but also to work toward reaching an agreed-upon amendment bill that will be sent to Parliament as soon as possible.

“Precisely because we recognize people’s prior service, we are moving to amend the legislation so that we can appoint more people to meet the needs. So we, too, are committed to staffing the schools.” ^{Athina Michailidou, Minister of Education}

The paradox is that while legislation has been in place for 11 years now that provides for the abolition of the waiting list, teachers graduating from higher education continue to be enrolled in it. The Ministry of Education is attempting to resolve this distortion.

“Nevertheless, with the new system, as I said, we must give the exams a chance to work, the new ones, to grant the legal right to those who have already passed the exams and, of course, to those with prior experience, whether as contract employees or substitutes, as we’ve said^, and of course to the permanent employees whom we are required to retain in the system.” ^{Athina Michailidou, Minister of Education}

The ministry’s position is that the old list should be abolished; however, those who are registered and have prior work experience, even if they did not pass the exam or otherwise fail to secure a spot on the new list, should be included.

See the report by Eleni Michael