Teachers protest over small number of permanent positions

“WE’RE people not numbers” and “we want a way out of a dead end” were just some of the slogans shouted outside the Education Ministry yesterday during a protest by secondary school teachers’ union OELMEK in support of temporary teachers who failed to get a permanent appointment.

“Over 100 colleagues who have taught in secondary schools over the years have failed to get permanent positions because fewer than 200 teaching contracts were given out this year,” said OELMEK head Demetris Taliadoros.

“We’re calling on the Education Ministry to follow the suggestions that we’re putting forward,” said Taliadoros who also wants those who have not yet been appointed “to win that right”.

Taliadoros made clear that these teachers were working on a year to year contract waiting to be appointed permanently. Last year 850 teachers working under the same conditions were appointed whereas this year it was only 650.

“We do not accept that our colleagues who have been working for the last six, seven, and eight years should be considered new comers,” added Taliadoros.

Education Minister Giorgos Demosthenous Demosthenous reassured the protesters that he would examine in detail the moral and legal issues that affect teachers who have completed pre-service training and who have not been appointed.

The protestors also repeated their opposition to the second package of austerity measures – which seeks to reduce the Cost of Living Allowance for teachers and other public sector workers among other measures – that is due before parliament later this week. 

“As educational organisations we will contact legal advisors to discuss issues that come up from the first package and the next phase will be strong action in the event that the second package is approved the way it is now,” said Taliadoros.

Taliadoros also said that they have asked for a meeting between the finance minister and the three educational unions before the second package is put before parliament. 

Last week secondary school teachers along with doctors and central government workers’ union PASYDY rejected provisions of the package that involved a reduction in their thirteenth salary and cost of living allowance (CoLA).

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