Newsroom
Lawmakers are demanding immediate reforms to support Greek Cypriot schools in the occupied Karpasia region, where educators and students are said to be working under what officials described as a “regime of intimidation.”
Parliamentary Education Committee Chair Pavlos Mylonas said teaching staff face serious restrictions that prevent inspections and disrupt learning in the enclaved communities of Rizokarpaso, Agia Triada, Kormakitis and Karpasia.
“It’s disgraceful that 17 students are being forced to meet Education Ministry officials in cafés,” Mylonas told the committee during a heated discussion this week.
Education Minister Athena Michaelidou said her ministry is prepared to revise staffing rules and operational procedures to keep the schools open despite the challenges. She added that the European Parliament has expressed concern over the situation.
Local leaders and educators urged the government to overhaul the teacher appointment process, saying the current system leaves schools severely understaffed. At present, the Karpasia region has just four teachers and one kindergarten instructor, with no school principal in place. Meanwhile, the community of Kormakitis is seeking integration into the national hiring system.
Speakers called for a balanced approach to recruitment, with positions divided between local and mainland educators, and proposed financial or professional incentives to attract qualified principals.
The committee later continued deliberations in a closed session.
