K.S. Radhakrishnan, J.

Petitioner has approached this Court seeking a direction to the respondents to consider him for appointment to the post of Headmaster in the third respondent-school.

2. Petitioner was originally appointed in a regular vacancy as H.S. A. on 13.7.1983. Petitioner men completed 12 years of continuous service as on 12.7.1995. He passed the test in Kerala Education Act and Rules conducted by the Kerala Public Service Commission as well as Departmental Account Test (Lower) conducted by the Kerala Public Service Commission. Petitioner submits he is the seniormost qualified teacher to be appointed as Headmaster in the school.

3. Regular vacancy of Headmaster in the school arose on 31.3.1998. Since no action was taken to appoint the petitioner as Headmaster, he submitted Ext. P3 representation before the management. He also preferred a representation before the District Educational Officer. While so, the Manager appointed the fourth respondent as teacher-in-charge of the school without considering the claim of the petitioner for the post of Headmaster. A proposal was sent by the Manager to the District Educational Officer for approval. District Educational Of