The Kerala High Court on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 held that "one who is to teach Physical Science to the High School students should be one who has studied Physics and Chemistry, at least, at the graduate level."

The bench comprised of Justice Thottathil B. Radhakrishnan and Justice Babu Mathew P.Joseph observed that "it was visioned by the Government while issuing GO(MS).No.141/88/G.Edn., that one who takes Chemistry as main subject would necessarily learn Physics as a subsidiary subject at graduate level and one who takes Physics as main subject would necessarily learn Chemistry as a subsidiary subject. 

The expression of such vision and mind of governance through the executive decision of the Government, contained in G.O.(MS). No.227/09/G.Edn. clearly underlines the rationale of the necessity and the requirement that, one who is to teach Physical Science to the High School students should be one who has studied Physics and Chemistry, at least, at the graduate level. All that the PSC has done to arrive at the impugned decision is to give effect to the Governmental decisions and the logical reasoning, as reflected on a conjoint reading of GO(MS). No.141/88/G.Edn. and GO(MS).No.227/09/G.Edn., in the backdrop of the Tribunal's reasoning and decision contained in its order dated 19.6.2012 in O.A.No.370 of 2012. We find no infirmity in it because, the fundamental purpose sought to be achieved is the larger interest of the future generation of students who have to learn Physical Science; meaning thereby, Physics and Chemistry; and would, then have to aspire for pastures beyond."

Notification shows that a degree in the concerned subject is what is prescribed. Concerned subject is Physical Science. There is no graduation in Physical Science. Therefore, we have to understand the prescription in the PSC notification to be in conformity with GO(MS).No.141/88/G.Edn. and GO (MS).No.227/09/G.Edn. which are executive orders of the Government, to whose service the recruitment is proposed. Those Government Orders governed the field of selection and appointment to the category of High School Assistants (Physical Science). The prescription in the PSC's notification that "applicants should have taken Physics/Chemistry/Home Science as main subject for graduation" does not mean that whatever be the subsidiary subjects, a graduate in Physics or Chemistry can be treated as qualified, even without having undergone a course of study of Physics and Chemistry at the graduate level, the bench added. 

Important Points in the Judgment are given below:-

• A Physical Science teacher has to teach Physics and Chemistry in the High School classes and therefore, an aspirant to the post of HSA (Physical Science) should have studied both those subjects either as a main subject or as a subsidiary subject. 
• Universities in Kerala offered degree with one main subject and two subsidiary subjects.
• One who is to teach Physical Science to the High School students should be one who has studied Physics and Chemistry, at least, at the graduate level.
• The fundamental purpose sought to be achieved is the larger interest of the future generation of students who have to learn Physical Science; meaning thereby, Physics and Chemistry; and would, then have to aspire for pastures beyond.
• There is no graduation in Physical Science. 
• The thrust is on study of Physics and Chemistry at least at the graduate level, for one to be an HSA (Physical Science).