In Panaji, the high court of Bombay at Goa has directed all concerned authorities to initiate regular promotion procedures for the position of principal at Shree Ganesh Higher Secondary School in Ganeshpuri-Mapusa. The court emphasized that the current officiating charge cannot continue indefinitely and instructed the departmental promotion committee to convene promptly. The court mandated that the process of regular promotions must be completed within two months. The vacancy for the principal position arose after the previous incumbent retired on July 31. The court also advised the school management to consider appointing Shilpa Pai Panandikar with due consideration to seniority as the interim principal. Shilpa had filed a petition seeking the annulment of an office order appointing Sandeep V Palni as the officiating principal. The court underscored the importance of respecting seniority even for interim appointments, unless there are compelling reasons to the contrary. Representing the school management, Advocate Rui Gomes Pereira argued that Palni was chosen for the interim role due to his background in science, as the school had recently introduced science subjects. However, the court found this rationale insufficient and stressed the significance of seniority in such appointments.The importance of considering seniority when appointing an acting principal should not be disregarded. The court noted that under Rule 86 of the Goa Education Rules 1986, vacancies for the position of principal in a higher secondary school should be filled through promotion. Therefore, Shilpa, represented by her advocate, senior counsel S D Lotlikar, should have been granted the acting charge of principal in compliance with this rule. The court emphasized that managements should prioritize selecting the most senior teacher for such appointments.