JUDGMENT :

[W.P(C) Nos.3158 of 2023 and 27326 of 2023]

These writ petitions are filed by rival teachers seeking appointment to the post of headmaster in the school managed by the 6^th respondent in W.P(C) No.3158 of 2023.

2. W.P(C) No.3158 of 2023 is filed by one P.M.Sreenath contending that he was appointed as LPSA from 01.12.2008 in a leave vacancy and that he was appointed to a permanent vacancy with effect from 01.06.2009. During 2016-17, the petitioner contends, that on account of the reduction of student strength, he was deployed to a Government school where he is still continuing. The headmistress of the school one Smt.Vijayalskhmi is stated to have retired with effect from 31.07.2003, and another Arabic teacher was placed “in charge” for some time. Later as per Ext.P3, the Manager of the school appointed the 5^th respondent- Smt.C.Anitha as “headmistress in charge”. He contends that the petitioner obtained 12 years of teaching experience as on 01.06.2021, having passed the Account Test (Lower) during July, 2019 and the Kerala Education Rules (KER) test during November, 2018 and hence became entitled for appointment to the post of headmaster as was claimed before the Manger as se