DEVNA SUMESH Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Since common issues arise for consideration in these writ petitions, they are heard together and are disposed of by this common judgment.

(2.) The 'Kerala School Kalolsavam' is the arts festival of students of LP, UP, HS, HSS, VHSS of Govt./aided and recognized un-aided schools under General Education Department of the State. It is conducted by the General Education Department. The Department has introduced Kerala School Kalolsava Manual (hereinafter referred to as the 'Manual' for short) laying down guidelines for the conduct of the Kalolsavam. The students who obtain grades in the State level competitions are given academic grace marks as well as cultural scholarships as prescribed by the Manual. The competitions are held at four levels namely, School, Sub-District, Revenue District and State. Only those who get a top score with 'A' grade can participate in the next level of competition.

(3.) The petitioners in these writ petitions were participants in the Revenue District Level School Kalolsavam, 2022-2023. As per clause 10.20 of Chapter 10 of the Manual, only the candidates who get 'A' Grade with the top most mark in an item of competition in the Revenue District Level School Kalolsavam can participate in the State School Kalolsavam. The School Kalolsavams in various Revenue Districts were held during the last week of November and first week of December, 2022. The State level festival, viz; Kerala School Kalolsavam 2022-2023, is slated to be held from 3/1/2023 to 7/1/2023 at Kozhikode. The petitioners in these writ petitions are minors, represented by their parents/guardians, who could not qualify for participation in the State level Kerala School Kalolsavam as they could not get top score in their events in the respective revenue districts. Accordingly, they preferred appeals before the Revenue District Level Appellate Committee constituted as per the Manual. Since the appeals were rejected, they have filed these writ petitions.