Public Kindergarten Staff Across Cyprus Launch 24-Hour Strike

Today, staff at all state-run kindergartens across Cyprus began a 24-hour strike.

The decision was announced by the Cyprus-wide Association of Public Kindergarten Educators following an emergency meeting of its administrative council. The meeting was held in coordination with the PASEY PEO and OYYK SEK trade unions.

Union representatives said the strike was prompted by the Ministry of Education’s continued indifference, despite having received documented proposals and ongoing appeals for over a year.

Among the unions’ key demands are:

– A halt to the downsizing of public kindergartens and the reduction of positions for qualified early childhood educators and school support staff;

– The implementation of a 2018 agreement that would place public kindergartens under the responsibility of school boards;

– Salary increases for kindergarten teachers and school assistants, along with an urgent review of the 2012 circular regulating employment terms and job responsibilities, which unions argue is outdated.

The unions expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to families and working parents—especially those from low-income households—who rely heavily on public kindergarten services for their day-to-day childcare needs.