(1.) All these petitions are being disposed of by this common judgment, as the issues raised therein are identical.
(2.) The challenge in these petitions under Article 226 of the Constitution of India is primarily to the advertisement dated 10 th February, 2010 issued by the Maharashtra State Council of Examination, inviting applications to fill in the post of Shikshan Sevaks in Zilla Parishads, Municipal Corporation Education Boards (except Mumbai), Municipal Councils, Cantonment Boards in the State of Maharashtra by conducting Central Examination Test from amongst the D.Ed. / D.T.Ed. As the advertisement was issued in the light of Government Resolution dated 16 th December, 2009, the petitioners have prayed that the respondents be directed to amend / modify the same, especially in respect of qualification of primary teachers, so as to include the Arts Teachers Diploma ('A.T.D.', for the sake of brevity) for appointment as Shikshan Sevaks. The petitioners are also seeking direction against the respondents to provide for 10% quota / workload of A.T.D. Teachers for appointment as Shikshan Sevaks in academic year 2009-10 for primary schools as per the policy. The petitioners have also sought direction against the respondents to arrange for separate C.E.T. Examination for A.T.D. holders for appointment as Shikshan Sevaks as per the syllabus of A.T.D. College or, in the alternative, to direct the respondents to allow the petitioners to appear for C.E.T. Examination, which was proposed to be conducted pursuant to advertisement dated 10 th February, 2010. These reliefs are claimed in the first six matters, which are filed by common advocate.
(3.) The second set of petitions filed through another advocate are for similar reliefs. In the second set of petitions, the petitioners have challenged the Government Resolution dated 16 th December, 2009, as also the advertisement dated 10 th February, 2010 and the prescribed proforma of application form, in respect of the selection process, inviting applications for (primary) Shikshan Sevaks Prerecruitment Selection Examination, as the same is not in conformity with the Revised Shikshan Sevaks Scheme, dated 27 th February, 2003. It is further prayed that direction be issued to the respondents to make specific reference to A.T.D. (Arts Teachers Diploma) qualification in the Revised Shikshan Sevaks Scheme dated 27 th February, 2003, and accordingly, in the advertisement inviting the forms and in the prescribed proforma of application form, to enable the petitioners / A.T.D. (Art Teachers Diploma) holders to apply as per advertisement. The said petitioners have asked for further direction against the respondents to allow the said petitioners to appear for examination in respect of (Primary) Shikshan Sevaks Pre-recruitment Selection Examination and to consider / recruit the A.T.D. (Arts Teachers Diploma) holders on the post of Shikshan Sevaks in the primary schools all over Maharashtra State, run by the Zilla Parishads, Nagar Palikas, Nagar Parishads, Mahanagar Palikas, Cantonment Boards and Government approved and granted schools, semi-granted schools and non-granted (private) schools (primary schools), as the case may be.