Qualification test requirements for promotion in schools are to be applied prospectively, allowing candidates who subsequently acquire necessary qualifications to have their claims for appointment as Head Teacher duly considered.

JUDGMENT

Heard Sri.Rajesh, the learned counsel for the petitioner, Sri.

Sri.N.B.Sunil Nath, the learned Government Pleader, as well as Sri.Sasthamangalam Ajith Kumar, the learned Senior Counsel for the 5^th respondent.

2. The 1^st petitioner is the Manager of the school and the 2^nd petitioner is the Head Teacher appointed by the 1^st petitioner in the school. The short issue arising for consideration is as to whether the 1^st petitioner is justified in appointing the 2^nd petitioner as the Head Teacher, as against the claim made by the 5^th respondent herein. Admittedly, the 5^th respondent has retired from the service on 31.05.2025. By the impugned order at Ext.P10, the 1^st petitioner has been directed to appoint the 5^th respondent as the Head Teacher. However, status quo as regards the appointment of the 2^nd petitioner is being continued.

3. In the meantime, as noticed earlier, the 5^th respondent has retired from service on 31.05.2025.

4. Therefore, the claim of the 2^nd petitioner requires to be considered, especially when the 2^nd petitioner has a case that she has subsequently acquired the required qualification. This is all the more so in view of the judgment of this Court in Venugopalan H. v. District Educational Officer, Palakkad [2025 KHC OnLine 258], as per which, the requirement for obtaining the test qualification was declared to only have prospective operation.

5. In such circumstances, this writ petition would stand ordered directing the 3^rd respondent to consider the claim made by the 2^nd petitioner herein as well as similarly placed claimants, if any, specifically taking note of the dictum laid down by this Court in Venugopalan (supra) as well as the subsequent acquisition of the required qualification by the 2^nd petitioner herein. Needful to be done in the matter as expeditiously as possible, at any rate, within a period of three months from today.

This writ petition is disposed of as above.