Court mandates timely action on school employment matters to ensure fair compensation for duties rendered.

JUDGMENT

Dated this the 13^th day of March, 2026 The petitioner is presently working as Headmistress at Sree Sharada Devi Sisuvihar U.P. School at Thiruvananthapuram. When the incumbent in the post of Headmistress in the School was sanctioned leave from 01.04.2025 to 31.10.2025 followed by voluntary retirement from service with effect from 01.11.2025, the petitioner was promoted to the post of Headmistress as per Ext.P1 order. However, the approval for the same was denied by the 4^th respondent as per Ext.P2 citing among other things that a delay of 10 days was made in submitting the proposal. 2. The 5^th respondent-Manager appealed against the same before the 3^rd respondent who issued Ext.P4 order in favour of the petitioner, after condoning the delay in submitting the proposal. However, the 4^th respondent has now addressed Ext.P5 to the 2^nd respondent seeking further clarification.

3. The petitioner has submitted Ext.P6 before the 2^nd respondent seeking favourable orders. The petitioner has been discharging the duties of Headmistress in the School for almost one year without being able to draw pay and allowances in the appropriate scale. Therefore, the 2^nd respondent is liable to be compelled to consider and pass orders on Ext.P6 representation submitted, contends the petitioner.

4. I have heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Government Pleader representing respondents 1 to 4. Notice to the 5^th respondent is dispensed with in view of the nature of the relief to be granted in this writ petition.

5. In this writ petition, the petitioner has made a limited prayer to direct the 2^nd respondent to consider Ext.P6 and pass orders on the same within a time limit to be stipulated by this Court. The petitioner would urge that she has been discharging duties of Headmistress in the School for almost being one year and without being able to draw pay and allowance in the appropriate scale.

Considering the facts of the case, the writ petition is disposed of directing the 2^nd respondent to consider Ext.P6 and pass appropriate orders thereon as expeditiously as possible and at any rate on or before 31.05.2026.

Sd/-

N. NAGARESH JUDGE

SR