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Cyprus is knee-deep in a fiery debate over teacher evaluations, a tug-of-war so intense it has already sparked strikes, hardened positions, and stirred up public frustration.
At the heart of the dispute is the Education Ministry’s new evaluation plan. The government says it’s time to modernize the system. Teachers’ unions say the plan is flawed, unfair, and impossible to implement as is. And while unions insist they support evaluation in principle, they argue that major changes are needed before they sign on.
But here’s the twist fueling the public mood: teaching in Cyprus is one of the best-paid public sector jobs in Europe. And that’s not an exaggeration; the numbers put Cyprus near the top.
The salary picture
For the 2023–2024 year:
- Starting salary: €26,600 per year
- After 15 years: €50,576
- At retirement: €66,323
It’s a career path with steady, guaranteed growth, something that doesn’t go unnoticed in a country where many private-sector workers are scraping by.
How Cyprus compares to Europe
A quick look at teacher salaries across the EU shows just how competitive Cyprus is:
- Cyprus: €26,600 → €66,323
- Greece: €16,473 → €31,836
- Italy: €25,670 → €37,426
- Finland: €25,829 → €28,432
- Spain: €33,905 → €48,603
- Luxembourg (the king of salaries): €52,570 → €92,874
- Netherlands: €38,566 → €79,123
- Slovakia: €13,877 → €18,131
- Bulgaria: €19,993 → €21,417
Cyprus may not reach Luxembourg or Dutch levels, but it comfortably sits in the upper tier, especially when you consider cost of living and job security.
A job many dream of
It’s no secret: Cyprus’ public sector is one of the most attractive employers in Europe. Stable hours, steady pay raises, excellent benefits, it’s a magnet. And teaching has long been a top pick for young graduates seeking stability.
So why the uproar?
Teachers insist the dispute has nothing to do with salaries. For them, it’s about a flawed evaluation framework they say would create chaos rather than improvement. They argue the proposed system is overly bureaucratic, lacks proper support structures, and risks being weaponized.
The government, meanwhile, refuses to backtrack, saying the old system has outlived its usefulness and reform is essential.
Caught in the middle? Parents, students, and the public are wondering how a well-paid, highly respected sector ended up in yet another confrontation with the state.
For now, the stalemate continues, and so does the national debate over what teachers deserve, what taxpayers expect, and how Cyprus can fix an education system everyone agrees needs change.
Source: 24News
