The government announced on Tuesday a sweeping reform of the teacher evaluation system, marking the most significant change to public education in decades.

Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis outlined the details at a press briefing at the presidential palace, describing the new plan as “a necessary political shift” aimed at restoring fairness, trust and professionalism in public schools.

According to the government spokesman, the reform introduces a multi-layered, scientifically backed evaluation model, replacing the decades-old practice of single-person assessments with collective evaluations involving school heads and inspectors.

Officials say this approach will better reflect each teacher’s performance and growth.

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At the heart of the reform is a shift from control to support. Evaluations will no longer serve as a punitive measure but will become a continuous tool for improvement and professional development. Teachers will now be assessed throughout their careers using clearly defined, measurable criteria. A new senior teaching rank will be created, allowing experienced educators to advance without moving into administrative roles.

Continuous training programmes will also be rolled out to support teachers at all career stages.

The proposal has been in development for nine months, shaped by consultations with educators, unions and academic experts.

While many of their suggestions were adopted, the government excluded those that conflicted with the reform’s core philosophy.

Education Minister Athena Michaelidou has launched a national information campaign, with the first session held in Nicosia on Monday night. Larnaca and Limassol will follow on May 28 and June 4, respectively.

A five-year transition period has been set to allow for gradual implementation, with teacher unions playing a role in monitoring progress.

Letymbiotis emphasised that this is not just a technical reform but a call for collective responsibility.

“This is a challenge to move forward. To let go of stagnation. To support our schools and our teachers. Together.”