(1.) THE petitioner has come up with the above writ petition, challenging a Government Order, stipulating that the selection of Graduate Assistants shall thenceforth be made only through written examinations (Teacher Eligibility Test) and not on the basis of seniority of registration in the Employment Exchange.
(2.) HEARD Mr.S.Muthukrishnan, learned counsel for the petitioner, Mr.T.Jayakumar, learned Standing Counsel for the first respondent, Mr.S.Venkatesh, learned counsel for the second and third respondents and Mr.K.Guru, learned Additional Government Pleader for the third and fourth respondents.
(3.) THE petitioner claims that till 31.3.2011, the Government of Tamil Nadu followed a system of appointment of Teachers, only on the basis of seniority of registration in the Employment Exchange, whether District or Statewide. But the method of selection of Graduate Assistants was changed by the Government of Tamil Nadu with the issue of G.O.Ms.No.181, School Education Department, dated 15.11.2011. As per the said Government Order, only those who pass the Teacher Eligibility Test become eligible for appointment as Graduate Assistants. This, according to the petitioner, has taken away the right of employment and the right to livelihood of the persons holding a Diploma or Degree in Teacher Education. According to the petitioner, once a person has acquired the essential qualifications for appointment to the post of a Teacher, by passing a Diploma or a Degree Course in Education, it is not fair to expect those persons to pass another Eligibility Test. Such a prescription, according to the petitioner, has placed persons who are waiting in the rolls of the Employment Exchange for decades at a dis-advantageous position than those who have so far managed to get appointment.