Cyprus Ministry of Education asks parents to keep children from special schools at home on strike day, September 17

The Cyprus Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth has announced how schools will operate on Thursday, September 17, when hourly-paid workers will hold a 24-hour strike. Parents and guardians of children who attend special schools or receive support from school assistants and escorts are asked to keep them at home.

The ministry explains that on the day of the strike it will be impossible to guarantee individual support, supervision, care and assistance for these pupils. Absences falling on September 17 will not be counted. “The safety of children is an absolute priority,” the ministry stresses.

School principals have been instructed to notify parents immediately and arrange in advance for the opening and closing of the buildings. The strike involves secretaries, cleaners, drivers and support staff of school boards — across all types of schools.

The action has been announced by the SEK, PEO and DEOK trade unions and concerns more than just education: work will stop for 24 hours in government departments, school boards and public healthcare institutions.

The dispute over salaries has been ongoing since the summer: the unions rejected the government’s written proposal of July 21 on August 5, demanding a retroactive increase from January 1, 2025. According to the Finance Ministry, an 8% increase for the entire public sector would cost more than €300 million a year.