Teachers Strike Across All Nicosia Schools Today

The Turkish Cypriot Secondary Education Teachers’ Union (KTOEÖS) is organizing a strike today in all schools across Nicosia, accompanied by a protest outside the Parliament and the Turkish Embassy.

This initiative aims to bring attention once again to the ongoing challenges in the education system and the escalating cost of living.

The strike will take place in all Nicosia schools between 11:30 a.m. and 1:05 p.m. At 11:45 a.m., teachers are set to gather at the union’s headquarters and march toward the Parliament and the Turkish Embassy to voice their concerns.

Union leader Selma Eylem explained that the strike and protest are intended to say “enough” to the issues plaguing schools and education, the rising cost of living, corruption, inequality, injustice, and illegality. The protest also addresses the difficulties faced by teachers employed under social security and immigration laws, as well as attacks on unions through decrees and collective labor agreements.

Additionally, it has been previously reported that since the earthquake in Turkey on February 6, 2023, only 19 out of 127 schools in the TRNC have been retrofitted to meet seismic safety standards. Many students in unsafe schools are still being taught in temporary structures.