JUDGMENT :

The petitioner, Sri. Xavier T.J commenced service as High School Assistant (Physical Science) (for short, ’HSA(PS)’) from 17.07.1989 onwards on a regular basis at St. Sebastian’s High School, Punnakkara (hereinafter referred to as the, 'School'), which is an aided School in terms of Kerala Education Act and Rules. Ext.P1 is the proceedings of the 4th Respondent, The District Educational Officer, Kozhikode, which would reveal that the petitioner was appointed with approval on a regular basis from 17.07.1989 as HSA(PS) and the 7th respondent, Sri. K.J. Jose, another teacher in the school was was appointed with approval from 23.10.1989 as HSA(PS). Therefore, the dispute on seniority between the petitioner and the 7th respondent was settled in favour of the petitioner who commenced service on a regular basis from 17.07.1989 onwards. It is the case of the petitioner that, while continuing as HSA(PS), the petitioner acquired the departmental test qualification with a pass in the Account Test (Lower) and (Higher) under the Kerala Education Act and Rules. Exts.P2 to P4 are th