Primary teachers threaten strike action

PRIMARY school teachers union POED yesterday threatened the Ministry of Education with strike action if after one month the outstanding issues in primary education have not been resolved.

“After repeated consultations on these issues, and taking into consideration the economic conditions in the country, the union’s executive has prioritised the issues and demands, while setting a time frame of one month for a response,” said POED president Loizos Yiassoumas, adding that they did not involve a substantial cost to the state.

If the demands are not met, the union plans to take “dynamic action” which includes the immediate suspension of the organisation’s participation in any dialogue on education reform, stoppage of work, picketing and other strike action, as well as the examination of additional measures.

Some of the issues include the time that should be allocated by teachers to assisting foreign children in class who do not speak the language, the provision of clerical staff in kindergartens, measures to combat school crime, a coordinator for computers, staff meetings, a timetable for smaller schools and maternity facilities, among other things.

POED has also asked for the support and help of parents on the issue, to take strike action if necessary, however hoping that it will not be required, as they do not want to inconvenience students as well as parents.

The union highlighted its determination to act with further measures, using legal means to ensure the best possible learning conditions for the students, better terms and working conditions for children, for an enhanced education.

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