A system that remains essentially unchanged for five decades cannot respond to modern needs, teaching methods, or the dynamism required by the times, government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said on Tuesday a day before teachers are set to strike.

Emphasising the importance of public education as a “central pillar of social cohesion,” Letymbiotis expressed his sincere appreciation and respect toward teachers as people who “shape characters, cultivate critical thinking and contribute decisively to the future of our children.”

He also stressed, however, the necessity of modernising and upgrading the education system in line with the broader government reform characterised by a spirit of modernisation, accountability, transparency, meritocracy and efficiency.

“One would expect this discussion to be a primary demand of the teachers themselves,” he said, as these values “further strengthen the prestige, respect and quality of the educational function.”

“The government is promoting this change,” he continued, “not because it considers teachers as an adversary, but precisely because it believes in their high level, dedication and contribution.”

Secondary and technical school teachers are set to strike on Wednesday from 7.30am to 11am, and all staff are expected to return to work promptly upon its end. Primary school teachers will strike the following Wednesday, November 26 from 7.30am to 9am.

They are protesting a change to their evaluation system that is currently being negotiated in the House before it becomes law.

Earlier, Education Minister Athena Michaelides told the Cyprus News Agency that the reform of the educational system could not be kept back by trade union demands.

“We are the last country in Europe to get a modern evaluation system,” she said calling the strike unjustified.

“The educational organisations themselves should pursue a healthier climate at school, a teaching environment, a better pedagogical environment, and this is what the evaluation offers,” she added.

She said, with parliamentary elections coming up in mid 2026, the reform could not wait for the next parliament to handle.

A deadline was initially set by the previous government of 2021 for the reform which was covered by the resilience and recovery fund, with the island facing a fine of €60 million. She said tax payers could not bear the cost and the government had agreed to push the important issue forwards.

“There is no turning back for us,” she added.

Meanwhile, chairman of the House Education Committee Pavlos Mylonas said it is regrettable that despite rescheduling the education committee meeting, secondary teachers’ union Oelmek did not at least delay Wednesday’s work stoppage, to avoid inconveniencing parents and students.

“Their message that they disagree with the evaluation plan would not have changed. The fact that they chose to inconvenience people, I think, was unnecessary,” he said.

Mylonas reminded everyone that everyone who receives a public salary, including himself and others, has a responsibility to serve the public interest, “which is why we have been entrusted with this role, namely, the welfare of our children in schools.”

In a Monday statement, the Pancyprian confederation of parents of primary school children acknowledged the teachers’ strike as an inalienable constitutional right, which is respected, but stressed that “education is also a constitutional right, a right that is violated every time educational processes are interrupted”.

The confederation noted that the evaluation system under discussion “has been thoroughly reviewed, with consensus from all involved parties,” expressing concern that the strike will disrupt schools and inconvenience students and parents.

“We absolutely respect the right of teachers to strike, but we also demand the corresponding respect for our children and ourselves,” the parents explained, adding that “the ease with which Poed attempts to exert pressure on parliament, burdens a large part of society.”

Parents and guardians were advised to ensure high school children arrive at school at 11am, following Monday’s announcement by the transport ministry that public transport for students will be suspended during the strike hours.

School bus services will run normally for the 1.35pm departure.

The education ministry also clarified that absences will be recorded for students who do not attend the full school day, but these will not count toward the permitted absence limit.

Primary school teachers union Poed explained that “despite all efforts made by Poed, for the third time a bill that was not agreed upon between the education ministry and the union is being presented to the House education committee for discussion and voting.”

They add that the union’s reaction is “a one-way street, with responsibility falling solely on the education ministry, which insists on proceeding with unagreed legislation.”